A Wiltshire town has been found to be a pollution hotspot.

Recent data from Wiltshire Council reveals Marlborough has dangerous levels of pollution - and traffic has been found to be one of the key culprits.

The town, which is connected to the M4 via the A346 and also has the A4 running through it, faces regular traffic issues.

Council figures indicate Herd Street in Marlborough has the third highest levels of nitrogen dioxide in Wiltshire, topped only by areas in Salisbury and Bradford on Avon.

Although this has improved since 2012, with the annual average showing steady improvement, levels are still too high to be deemed ‘acceptable’.

“Many of the pollutants of concern are invisible to the eye but irritate the lungs, which are particularly problematic if individuals have pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma,” the official report reads.

The main source of the pollution in Marlborough comes from diesel cars, closely followed by large goods vehicles.

"We do get quite a bit of traffic and it's normally not moving very much," said Chris Bullock from Chris' Barbershop on the High Street.

"I've never noticed a problem with the air quality here," added a representative from the Marlborough Bike Company on Kingsbury Street.

"But in the High Street it is very much standstill a lot of the time and people do pull over and just leave their cars running sometimes."

In order to no longer be classed as an unsafe area, the town needs to have below 40mg of nitrogen dioxide per metre squared as an annual average.

In 2019, Marlborough had 57mg, and this is expected to increase to 63.6mg by 2026 if current trends continue.

“The town council is aware of this issue, and recognises the issue is affected by factors far beyond Marlborough itself," said Marlborough town clerk Richard Spencer-Williams.

"As such, it requires the support and intervention of National Government, and Highways England, as well as requiring leadership from Wiltshire Council."

Last month, the town council launched a ‘no-idling’ campaign to raise awareness about the impact of engine idling.

“Every minute, an idling car produces enough toxic exhaust emissions to fill 150 balloons,” the town clerk added.

“Reducing emissions from idling vehicles can significantly contribute to a better environment for everyone.”

Marlborough Town Council has asked to bus and coach companies to ask drivers to switch off when waiting at bus stops.

Wiltshire Council have also stepped in to address the issue by planning to introduce more electric vehicle charging points within Marlborough to reduce the number of petrol and diesel cars.

“Poor air quality impacts us all, directly, and indirectly,” said Coun Ian Blair-Pilling, cabinet member for public health.

“The annual mortality of human made air pollution in the UK is roughly equivalent to between 28,000 and 36,000 deaths every year, so this is an issue we need to get fixed,” he added.

Coun Nick Holder, the cabinet member for environment, added: "Of the seven pollutants local authorities are required to monitor, the whole of Wiltshire complies with acceptable levels for six of these pollutants.

"We have identified nitrogen dioxide levels have exceeded the UK annual mean objective in a small number of hot spots.

"Our Air Quality Action Plan contains a range of measures to improve air quality and reduce nitrogen dioxide levels including facilitating the shift from diesel to electric vehicles by ensuring that infrastructure is in place to support industry, and improving road connectivity in the Marlborough area."