A HASLINGDEN-BASED nursery has been revealed as one of thousands across the country which are in areas where air pollution is too high.

A Greenpeace study revealed Helmshore Road, home to Puddleduck’s Children’s nursery, has 47 microgrammes of nitrogen dioxide per cubic metre, seven more than the legal limit.

The nursery is the only one in Lancashire that sits within 105 metres of a street over the level, with London having more than 750 nurseries within a pollution hotspot.

The councils outside of the capital with the most polluted roads include Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Plymouth and Salford.

Anna Jones, clean air campaigner at Greenpeace, said: “Most people don’t realise that all across the country, toddlers are being exposed to invisible air pollution caused by diesel vehicles.

“At such a young age, children are extremely vulnerable to its effects, and it can cause long-lasting health impacts and reduced lung function.

“We were told diesel cars were the cleaner choice, but car makers lied about how much pollution they emit.

“That deception has left our kids exposed to toxic air pollution that’s causing widespread chronic health problems.”

The highest level of roadside pollution recorded was in Three Colt Street, London, with 118.

The findings come just days before the government is expected to publish a revised plan to tackle air pollution after the previous one was deemed inadequate by the High Court.

A spokesman from Puddleduck’s Children’s Nursery declined to comment when contacted.