A new mobile service alerts people to potentially dangerously high levels of air pollution.

The free notification service called ‘Herts and Bed Air Pollution Alert System’ sends a direct text or an email when air pollution in the area reach a certain level.

The app can be used by anyone but is specifically designed to help people with respiratory conditions such as asthma.

North Hertfordshire District Council and ten other Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire authorities have signed up to the service.

Its launch coincides with the Government’s Clean Air Strategy published in January which urged at authorities to cut down on pollution and provide alerts.

Hertfordshire’s county council cabinet member for public health and prevention, Cllr Tim Hutchings, said: “Poor air quality affects everyone, but it has a disproportionate impact on the young, the old, the sick and the poor.

“It is not an easy challenge to solve and can only be tackled through collective action.

"I am delighted to support this initiative, it will provide an early warning service which will enable people to take action using, if necessary, to minimise the effects of pollution episodes on their health.”