Residents and businesses in Staffordshire are being urged to lead the charge as part of a campaign to help combat air pollution in the county.

Staffordshire County Council has launched a campaign to encourage as many businesses and organisations as possible to become anti-idling zones throughout March.

The initiative, dubbed the "Staffs Engine Switch Off", aims to improve air quality by reducing the amount of pollution produced from car engines. Air pollution is a significant problem that affects everyone. Furthermore, poor air quality aggravates respiratory conditions like asthma, and is responsible for hundreds of deaths every year.

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The initiative was first launched last March with over 100 sites signing up, including Staffordshire Libraries, Household Waste Recycling Centres, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce.

Simon Tagg, Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Change at Staffordshire County Council said: "We are delighted to be launching this initiative to help tackle air pollution in Staffordshire.

"This is a great opportunity for businesses and organisations to get involved, make a change and help clean up the air we all breathe. We’re calling on organisations to make their premises an anti-idling zone and then calling on individuals to join in by choosing to switch off their engines during various activities. This could include switching off when charging a mobile phone, waiting for someone, making deliveries, running the heater, or running the aircon.

"By working together and making small changes we can make a big difference. I’d urge everyone to get involved by signing up and please remember to share pictures of your banner outside your workplace on social media with the hashtag #StaffsEngineSwitchOff."