FIVE Southampton schools are closing their streets to cars today to highlight the need to improve air quality.

Fairisle Junior, Sholing Infant and Sholing Junior, St Mary’s Primary and St Monica’s Primary are among 39 schools across the country which are taking part in a national trial organised by the walking and cycling charity Sustrans.

Sustrans spokesman James Cleeton said: “We need to radically change the way we travel - idling car engines and snarled up roads poison the air our children breathe.

“For too long dangerous levels of air pollution near schools have been ignored.

"Teachers want urgent action to clean up toxic fumes. They see closing the roads outside their schools to vehicles whilst opening them for people as an effective solution but need support from local authorities to enact change.

“We’re grateful Southampton City Council has supported these street closures.

"We will continue to work in partnership to help the council implement permanent school street closures during the school run as part of the measures to reduce air pollution and create a safer environment for families to walk and cycle."

City council officer Sam Fox added: "Our recently adopted Local Transport Plan encapsulates our vision for an attractive city where people want to live, work and spend time.

"Street closures like these are an effective way to deliver that."