Preston has been named as one of the most polluted places in the country, new data has revealed.

Research from the World Health Organisation (WHO) has named Preston as one of 47 towns and cities across the country that are at, or have exceeded, air pollution

limits set by WHO.

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Preston has been named as one of the most polluted places in the country, according to research by the World Health Organisation

And while Preston is not exceeding the fine particle air pollution levels of more than 10 micrograms per cubic metre, it is at the limit alongside 14 other towns.

A Preston Council spokesman said that the council and its partners, including Lancashire County Council, “continually monitor and assess” the city’s pollution levels.

They added that the levels are reported annually to central government via an annual status report “that will help to reduce the pollutant levels within the city and will soon be available on our website”.

The pollution in Preston includes sulfate, nitrates and black carbon, which WHO say “pose the greatest risks to human health”.

Clean air campaigners have called for the Government to take steps to stop people breathing dirty air.

Chief executive of environmental law charity ClientEarth, James Thornton, said: “These new statistics show a worrying level of this dangerous air pollution across the country. People shouldn’t have to breathe air on a daily basis which the WHO deems unhealthy.”

Alison Cook, director of policy at the British Lung Foundation, said: “Action to reduce the toxic particles in the air we breathe can no longer be delayed.”