Massive levels of air pollution and dust from the Sahara spread across Britain

Defra issued warnings as high pollution levels were recorded on Tuesday.

16:15 02 April 2014

Massive levels of air pollution and dust – a mix of local and European emission plus the dust coming from Sahara has spread across Britain resulting to thick layers of dust on cars and buildings.

High pollution levels are also forecasted to hit parts of south England, the Midlands, and East Anglia. For this reason, Defra (the Department for Food, Agriculture & Rural Affairs) has issued warnings and said that elderly and people with lung or heart disease should stay indoors as much as possible.

Defra has a 10-point scale for measuring air quality - with 1 meaning there is a "low" risk of air pollution and 10 warning of "very high" levels.

On Wednesday, pollution readings reached level 6 in East Anglia and the South East while London and areas of north-east England are at level 5. Forecasters say pollution levels could reach high levels later in the day and on Thursday, before clearing on Friday.

Advise on Defra website reads: "Adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems, should reduce strenuous physical exertion, particularly outdoors, and particularly if they experience symptoms.

"People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often. Older people should also reduce physical exertion."