Transport for London is set to make £65,000 a day as a result of a pollution crackdown in which older diesel cars will be fined £10 a day for entering London.

Under a new "T charge" system, which comes into force today, some 6,500 cars are expected to drive into the capital and pay the fine each weekday.

From 7am drivers of older, more polluting petrol and the "dirtiest" diesel vehicles will pay the new T-Charge plus the congestion charge, meaning they will pay a total of £21.50 for every weekday they drive in the zone from 7am to 6pm.

Over the course of a year the total amount paid to TfL by drivers of older diesel cars could reach nearly £17 million, calculations show.

The large sums collected, which may be used to improve public services, is likely to encourage bosses of other city councils around the country to adopt similar crackdowns.