AIR quality management areas have finally been established in Westbury and Bradford on Avon.

West Wiltshire District Council chose the areas after it carried out extensive consultation with the public in the two towns.

Area environmental health officer, Rachel Symcox, said: "We held roadshows in the two towns where the public could ask questions and have their say, and there were displays at the West Wilts Show."

Under the scheme, Haynes Road and Warminster Road in Westbury and St Margaret's Street, Masons Lane, Market Street and Silver Street in Bradford on Avon will all be monitored over the coming months.

Secretary of the Bradford on Avon Traffic and Transport Forum, Godfrey Marks said: "We are delighted that all four streets in Bradford on Avon have been included."

The consultation showed 67 per cent of Bradford on Avon respondents and 76 per cent of Westbury respondents thought the air quality management areas should cover a large area while the majority said they would accept proposals to restrict vehicles that create a lot of pollution.

The council now has 12 to 18 months to draw up air quality action plans for the two towns to ensure that emissions are reduced in the areas by the year 2005, in accordance with government legislation.

Councillor Adrian Fox. environment portfolio holder said: "Local residents have given us a clear mandate to try to resolve the air pollution problems in Bradford on Avon and Westbury.

"A number of suggestions as to how we could do this were made during the consultation and these will all be considered when we draw up the action plans."