Heathrow Airport passengers could face a £15 surcharge if they arrive in an older, more polluting car.

The fee is part of plans for the world's first ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) at an airport.

Heathrow is set to introduce the measure in 2022 to cut air pollution and congestion by encouraging people to use "sustainable" ways of getting to and from the airport.

Passenger cars and private hire vehicles (PHVs) which do not meet strict emissions standards will be charged between £10 and £15 when entering the airport's car parks or drop-off areas.

Emissions standards will match those introduced in part of central London last month, which roughly involves diesel cars more than four years old and petrol cars more than 13 years old being charged a fee.

Details will be confirmed when Heathrow submits its final bid to obtain planning permission for expansion following a public consultation which will be launched on June 18.

The Ulez will be replaced with a vehicle access charge for all passenger cars, taxis and PHVs once a third runway is open by 2026.

The airport's chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: "Heathrow expansion is not a choice between the economy and the environment - we must deliver for both. Today's announcement shows that we will take the tough decisions to ensure that the airport grows responsibly."

Val Shawcross, a former deputy mayor for transport who chairs the Heathrow Transport Area Forum, said: "This is a significant step change in Heathrow's effort to clean up local ground level air pollution by shifting people into the cleanest modes of transport.

"I have never pulled my punches talking to the airport about local air quality and I look forward to continuing to hold Heathrow to account in my new independent role."