PLANS are underway to help the people of Warrington breathe more easily with a new clean air initiative.

The Air About Us campaign was launched by environmental health chiefs on Monday at the Town Hall when community groups were given the chance to get involved and play their part in cleaning up the skies. A massive study across the town has revealed areas around the busy motorway network, the M56, M6 and M62 are the worst affected. Reports show that though the air quality in the town is generally very good, the air around the motorways slightly exceeds the national objectives for levels of nitrogen dioxide, a chemical associated with vehicle emissions.

Principal environmental health officer Dave Watson said there would be talks with the Highways Agency and the Environment Agency regarding improving air quality.

"It's a difficult problem and the main solution would be to look at more sustainable forms of transport."

Now the council plans to get in touch with as many people as possible in a bid to clean up the town's act.

Andrew Gilbert, assistant director of environmental services, added: "Warrington was one of only a few local authorities in the country to complete the air quality review within the timescales set by Government. Although we found the situation in Warrington is very good, we do not want to sit back or be complacent. We want to protect what we have and seek improvements in the quality of air we breathe in the long term."