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A smog cloud that today saw a 14mph speed limit imposed on Paris motorways is headed for British shores, experts have warned.

The pollution, set to drift across the Channel tonight, has already sparked "high" pollution levels in parts of the country, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said.

In France, the Eiffel Tower is shrouded in smog, while Paris authorities have imposed a 20kph (14mph) motorway speed limit in the hope of curbing any further increase.

London was today expecting a level 5 to 6 air pollution warning - out of a possible 10 - according to Defra's pollution forecast. By tomorrow parts of the UK will be hitting level 9, although London is only predicted to reach 4.

That rating means that "adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems, who experience symptoms, should consider reducing strenuous physical activity, particularly outdoors".

The spike is caused by an area of high pressure sucking in dirty air from the continent.

Smog London 3 show all Smog London 1/3 SmogLondon.jpg Smog: The top 50 spots in the UK for pollution are all in London (Picture: Jeremy Selwyn) 2/3 smog1.jpg Shroud: Tower Bridge during smog last year (Picture: Jeremy Selwyn) 3/3 smog3.jpg Poor visibility: Smog over London Bridge last year (Picture: Jeremy Selwyn) 1/3 SmogLondon.jpg Smog: The top 50 spots in the UK for pollution are all in London (Picture: Jeremy Selwyn) 2/3 smog1.jpg Shroud: Tower Bridge during smog last year (Picture: Jeremy Selwyn) 3/3 smog3.jpg Poor visibility: Smog over London Bridge last year (Picture: Jeremy Selwyn)

That wave will top up already high levels of fumes, failing to be dispersed because of today's still weather.

A Defra spokeswoman said: "Winds bringing in pollution from the continent, combined with locally generated pollution and still weather conditions, has led to some high pollution measurements across the UK.

"Levels are expected to return to low by Friday."

Record levels of pollution hit the UK nearly a year ago after a wave of "Saharan dust" arrived on our shores. Such was the discomfort that even David Cameron skipped his morning run on April 3, 2014.

"Throughout [Tuesday] and into [Wednesday] high pressure will continue to draw in air and pollutants from the continent, which adds to the pollution building up in urban areas," the Met Office wrote last night on its blog.

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"High pressure is also currently sitting to the east of the UK, bringing us calm and settled weather [and] allowing pollutants to become trapped close to the ground."

For forecasts and health advice tomorrow, Defra is signposting people to its air pollution website.