Oxford is set to become the first place in the UK to ban all petrol and diesel vehicles from its city centre.

The proposals would see all petrol and diesel taxis, cars and buses excluded from six central streets from 2020.

The area will then be expanded in 2025 and 2030 to encompass the entire city centre, and finally in 2035 HGVs will be banned from the same zone - making it what is thought to be the world's first Zero Emissions Zone.

On Monday, a six-week public consultation on the proposals will be launched.

Experts say the scheme could cut levels of harmful nitrogen dioxide (NO2) down to near-background levels, with as much as a 74 per cent reduction in one street.

Oxford City Council environment chief John Tanner said the move is "urgently needed".