GREEN campaigners in Winchester have launched the BREATHE initiative for better air, transport, health and environment.

Posters will be going up in windows “We back BREATHE” with a distinctive green thumbs-up sign.

Winchester Action on Climate Change, which organised the meeting on Saturday, is uniting with other campaigns to make people more aware of the problems caused by air pollution largely caused by emissions from motor vehicles.

Campaigners claim air pollution contributes towards the deaths of an estimated 50 people a year in Winchester district by damaging their health.

Christine Holloway, WinACC director, said: “We want the BREATHE name and logo to be taken up by everyone who wants better air, transport, health and environment. It’s not just WinACC and it's not just Winchester. Health agencies can “Back BREATHE” for better air. Joggers will “Back BREATHE” so they aren't poisoned while they run. We’ll ask bus companies to put our logo and slogan on their new low-emission buses, and the city council to put it on their new air monitors.”

People at the meeting suggested working with schools, nurseries and churches. One supporter plans to take it to her choir – as she said, “We need healthy lungs to sing.”

Hazel Agombar who was at the meeting said drivers want clean healthy air too. “Drivers don't realise that they are breathing more polluted air than cyclists or pedestrians. And so are their passengers, including their children. The air circulation system takes in air from the exhaust of the car in front, except in the very latest models”.

The meeting invited people to take posters for their neighbours, to follow BREATHE_Win on twitter and to join BREATHE on Facebook.

With the Hampshire County Council elections coming on May 4, supporters were encouraged to ask candidates whether they would press for the county council to use its transport powers to reduce emissions.

They want roads to give priority to people on foot and cycling, transport budgets spent on walking and cycling, and the Council to work with bus companies to get people out of their cars and onto the bus.

WinACC is already working with Winchester City Council on its new Air Quality Management Plan, and will hold a meeting with the 2017 air monitoring results at the end of the year to check if the plan is having an impact.

Next month, WinACC ask the Hampshire Climate Action Network of invite groups in Southampton Portsmouth and across the county to use BREATHE slogan and logo.

Anyone who wants to use the BREATHE slogan, name or logo should contact BREATHE@winacc.org.uk. More information on the website WinACC.org.uk/BREATHE.