SAFE air pollution limits are being breached in two East Lancashire boroughs, the latest figures have shown.

Analysed council reports on the level of nitrogen dioxide in the air at certain locations across the country show that pollution levels are being exceeded in both Rossendale and Burnley.

Meanwhile no breaches were recorded in Blackburn, Ribble Valley, Pendle or Hyndburn.

This is according to research by environmental campaigners Friends of the Earth, who have warned failure to fix the high levels could cost lives.

The audit found three places in Burnley where the average level of nitrogen dioxide exceeded 40 micrograms per cubic metre of air in 2018, the latest year for which data is available.

The worst offending location – at the area’s Gannow Junction 13 (M65) – came in at 45.5.

However the figure was even higher in Rossendale, where readings taken on the Grane Road in Haslingden revealed levels of 47.8.

The average must be below 40 to meet government air quality targets, while the World Health Organisation sets this as a safe limit to protect public health.

According to Friends of the Earth, traffic is the leading cause of nitrogen dioxide pollution, which can inflame the lining of the lungs and reduce immunity to infections.

Nationally, 1,360 sites failed to meet the 40 micrograms target in 2018.

Clean air campaigner Simon Bowens said: “Failing to fix air pollution costs lives. It also shows a failure to address the climate crisis.