The successful local authorities will share £11.6m to fund local projects such as encouraging the uptake of green transport, introducing air quality measures in and around care homes, and delivering educational programmes for schoolchildren.

Of this funding, £1m will be used to improve public awareness about the risks of air pollution, which was one of the recommendations following the death of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah in 2013.

Agri-innovation and climate adaptation minister, Jo Churchill, said: 'Air pollution is the single biggest environmental risk to public health. It has reduced significantly since 2010, but we know there is more to do, which is why we have doubled the amount of funding awarded this year to help local authorities take vital action.

'The projects supported by this latest round of funding include innovative local schemes to boost the use of green transport, increase monitoring of fine particulate matter – the most harmful pollutant to human health – and improve awareness of the risks of poor air quality around schools and in care homes.'

The Government will be launching a consultation shortly on two new targets to help reduce the level of fine particulate matter in the air.