Lewisham Council is one of the first in the United Kingdom to launch a clean air app.

The software, designed by King’s College London, allows users of ‘Lewisham Air’ to check the air quality in their neighbourhood.

They can also plan walking and cycling routes where levels are lower using a specially designed mapping tool.

Councillor Sophie McGeeovr, Lewisham’s Air Quality Champion, said: “'Lewisham Air’ is a brilliant example of how technology can help us reduce our exposure to toxic air.

“The mapping tool plots the quickest routes from A to B while avoiding main roads and the highest levels of pollution.

“Lewisham Air is quick and easy to use and it will enable everyone who downloads the app to take action to make our air cleaner.”

It is now available in the Apple and Google stores following its launch March 16.