A council’s plan to improve air quality has been approved by the Government.

West Northamptonshire Council has resubmitted its Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) following input from more than 1 000 members of the public in an effort to reduce pollution.

Protesters distributed 102 false death certificates – symbolizing deaths linked to toxic air – during one of the recent protests at council meetings on this issue.

Matt Golby, the council’s Conservative deputy leader, said the approval was “great news”.

“We can continue to move forward in our efforts to reduce pollution in the region to make our environment cleaner and healthier for local communities,” he said.

Analysis by the Housefresh website in 2022, it was concluded that people in Northampton were inhaling the equivalent of 189 cigarettes per year, more than any other town in the UK.

The council said it would consider carrying out research into domestic fuel consumption habits and had secured funding to raise awareness of air pollution caused by other types of fuel burning.

Around 1.5 million UK households use wood for fuel, according to government statistics on air pollution.

Additionally, the council plans to put forward a strategy to improve electric vehicle infrastructure across the region.

Mr Golby added: “Although levels in West Northants are generally within government limits, we know there is still work to do.