FEARS over deteriorating air quality in some parts of the Bromsgrove district have led to a call for a council committee to be set up specifically to deal with the problem.

A full meeting of Bromsgrove District Council was last night (Tuesday) set to discuss a motion put forward by the leader of the Labour group Cllr Peter McDonald (Uffdown and Waseley) and his colleague Cllr Bill Newnes (Catshill).

Cllr McDonald says reports have shown some areas, among them Catshill, Stoke Prior and Alvechurch, have recorded higher than recommended pollution levels.

"My concern is that we do not have a specific committee to watch and monitor the air quality within the district of Bromsgrove," he said.

Before the meeting council leader Cllr Nick Psirides (Con, Norton) said: "We are aware that in the Catshill area readings are high and we are currently devising a plan with the co-operation of the Highways Agency to implement a reduction within the next couple of years.

"The problem is caused mainly by emissions from the nearby M42, but it is a problem this authority cannot tackle independently."