ONE in 17 deaths in the South East’s cities and towns is now linked to air pollution, new research shows.

This makes dying from air pollution 20 times more likely than being killed in a car crash.

The thinktank Centre for Cities estimates there are 1,317 annual air pollution-related deaths in the South East’s towns and cities. The region has the biggest share of such deaths outside London.

In Brighton, 167 people over 25 died from long term exposure to air pollution in 2017, accounting for 5.7 per cent of all deaths in the city. Worthing, on the other hand, had the lowest proportion of air pollution-related deaths in the South East at 5.6 per cent, or 81 deaths.

The deaths were linked to PM2.5 – atmospheric particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, about three-hundredths the diameter of a human hair.

These deadly levels are currently legal in England, despite breaking the World Health Organisation’s air pollution guidelines.

Andrew Carter, Chief Executive of Centre for Cities, said: “Air pollution kills thousands of people living in cities every year.

“Politicians often talk tough on addressing air pollution but we need to see more action. People in the South East should be at the centre of the fight against its toxic air and councils should take the steps needed, including charging people to drive in city centres and banning wood burning stoves.

“To help, the Government needs to provide the South East’s councils with extra money and introduce stricter guidelines. The deadly levels of polluted air in the South East are entirely legal. This needs to change.

"As a matter of urgency the Government should adopt WHO’s stricter guidelines around PM2.5 emissions. Failure to act now will lead to more deaths in the South East.”