A campaign for cleaner air saw one lung health support group take to the seafront to highlight the damage air pollution can cause to people's lungs.

Breathe Easy Week, held this month as part of the British Lung Foundation's nation-wide event, aims to raise awareness of lung conditions and helps to fund life-changing research.

Breathe Easy Weymouth, the local branch, hosted an information stand on the seafront on National Clean Air Day to educate the public on how, for people living with a lung condition, air pollution can make it worse meaning that person would have to avoid busy roads, and in some cases, would be left housebound when air quality is particularly bad.

Myra Henville, of Breathe Easy Weymouth, explained that tiny pollution particles can pass through lungs into the bloodstream, meaning air pollution could be linked to many health problems.

She said: "Well over 500 people visited our Breathe Easy event. They were very interested in finding out more about lung disease, and the impact that poor air quality has on lung health.

"We were delighted that local Cllrs, Clare Sutton and Dr Jon Orrell, joined us, helping our campaign for cleaner air.

"Air pollution contributes to the equivalent of 40,000 early deaths a year across the UK, and hits hardest people with a lung condition, children and the elderly. That's why we're supporting the British Lung Foundation's call for a new, fair and ambitious Clean Air Act."

Despite improvements in air quality in recent decades, air pollution remains a significant risk to health in the UK.

According to Public Health England, air pollution in the South West contributes to an estimated 4.3 per cent of all deaths in the region and the costs to society of air pollution are on a par with those from smoking and obesity.

The authority is therefore encouraging the public to take steps to reduce emissions and improve the air we breathe.

Nick Young, consultant in health protection for Public Health England South West, said: “We all need to do our bit to reduce air pollution across the South West.

“We are working closely with councils and other partners to explore options to reduce air pollution – potential strategies include no idling areas outside schools, hospitals and in traffic related air pollution hotspots. We’d also like to see businesses across the region working to schedule deliveries to minimise congestion, encouraging staff to cycle to work and educating their drivers to develop an energy efficient style."

For further information on the British Lung Foundation’s campaign for cleaner air, visit blf.org.uk/cleanair