The Ashby branch Labour Party is calling for action to start monitoring local air quality.

There has been no monitoring of pollution in and around the town for 20 years despite rapid housing growth and industrial development.

Ashby Town Council, supported by the local Labour councillor, is calling on the District Council to begin monitoring around Ashby and for greater scrutiny of air quality across the District to establish the impact on the environment and public health.

Labour Party Councillor for Ashby Willesley, David Bigby, believes a change in air quality measurement is essential.

"It is clear from investigations by the Town Council that the methods being used to determine air quality are unsatisfactory and outdated," he said.

"There is a complete reliance on poorly calibrated computer models to decide if new areas of monitoring are needed.

"Pollution is not measured in the most congested areas of the town and we need to address this."