EAST Oxford MP Andrew Smith and Labour’s south east MEP candidate Anneliese Dodds were out in Oxford yesterday to raise awareness of the importance of monitoring air pollution.

They are fighting Government plans to remove obligations on local authorities to run air quality monitoring stations and were in High Street talking to passers-by.

Mr Smith said: “Monitoring is vital for health and quality of life. It’s very worrying that the Government doesn’t think it should be a requirement.”

Ms Dodds said: “Getting rid of air quality monitors will hide pollution but won’t stop it harming the young, the elderly and the unwell.”

John Tanner, cabinet member for Cleaner, Greener Oxford, said: “Pollution in Oxford has fallen over the last 10 years because we have kept a close eye on what’s happening to pollution levels.”