Children across Richmond are set to carry backpacks which will measure toxic air levels.

A total of 250 pupils from five schools in Southwark, Richmond, Greenwich, Haringey and Hammersmith and Fulham will wear specially adapted bags with inbuilt sensors that will measure particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide levels.

The data collected from these backpacks will then be used by scientists to mark pollution hotspots and help children avoid these hotspots on their way to school.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “It remains a shameful fact that London’s toxic air is harming the lung growth and health of our young children, and we are determined to do everything in our power to protect them.

“An issue this large and complex requires bold and innovative action to protect future generations and ensure our children breathe cleaner, healthier air. I’m proud that we’re able to launch world-leading studies like this which will help us find new ways to reduce children’s exposure to toxic air.

“I hope the success of this scheme will act as a blueprint for cities around the world as they battle their own toxic air emergencies.”

The initiative comes as part of Mr Khan’s Breathe London project which monitors air quality across the capital with more than 100 fixed air quality monitors and air quality monitoring cars.

The Ultra Low Emissions Zone is also set to come into central London in April this year and means vehicles which don’t meet certain emissions standards will be forced to pay a daily charge of £12.50 – it will be expanded to outer London in October 2021.