Slough Borough Council is to monitor air pollution outside schools after being granted funding by the Government department DEFRA.

The ambitious project will see 'state of the art' sensors used to collate and analyse air quality data in five air quality management 'problem' areas - some of them near primary and nursery schools.

The council will be working with three comapnies - analytics experts Ricardo and environmental and monitoring control companies Vaisala and Mayflower Smart Control.

Patrick Mitchell, Head of Mayflower, said: “Mayflower are pleased to be involved in a project that will deliver valuable insight, informing decisions benefitting both schools and school children."

Ricardo air quality monitoring business manager Paul Willis said: “Councils across the UK are focused on improving local level air quality and especially in protecting the most vulnerable members of the community. New technology combined with insightful analysis are critical to help understand and address these challenges.

“We are proud to be working with Mayflower Smart Control, Vaisala and Slough Borough Council to deliver this important work evaluating air quality close to the Borough’s schools.”

Work on the project begins this month with a report on the findings being provided to DEFRA and Slough Borough Council in a year.