PROPOSALS to fine drivers who leave their engines running in busy public places have been welcomed in East Lancashire.

Official health watchdogs said 'no idling' zones should be enforced outside schools, care homes and hospitals, with children and older people most at risk from toxic air.

The measure was among a wide range of steps proposed by Public Health England and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to cut air pollution, which is at illegal levels in almost 90 per cent of urban areas.

Other recommendations include planting more pollution-absorbing trees and hedges, training motorists to drive smoothly and to keep their tyres pumped up, and supporting cycling and electric vehicles.

Cllr Mustafa Desai, executive member for adult social care and health at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “We welcome the interest being shown in reducing the public’s exposure to air pollution.

"Idling cars outside schools or anywhere else contributes significantly to pollution and increases health risks for children.

"Our community enforcement officers already spend a large amount of their time at schools moving on cars that are illegally parked and we have also introduced smoke-free areas around parks, schools and children’s centres out of concern for children’s health.

"However, we would like to see the public taking ownership of this matter as they have done for drink driving and other things that are now considered socially unacceptable, as public sanction is often more effective than enforcement.”

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, Lancashire County Council's director of public health, said: "Traffic fumes are a public health concern and we work with district councils and other organisations to improve air quality.

"We encourage people to park away from schools when possible, to park responsibly at all times and to switch off their car engines when waiting for children outside school.

"We also promote schemes to encourage children and their parents to walk or cycle to and from school."

Westminster City Council in London has already introduced £80 fines for drivers caught with idling engines.

The health watchdogs also back 'clean air zones' that charge or restrict polluting vehicles from entering town centres.