An estimated one in 16 deaths in London is caused by exposure to pollution, a new study has found.

UK Levels of deadly dust, ash and soot, called Particulate Matter (PM2.5), are at their highest in the capital, according to the Centre for Cities charity, which works with Whitehall to develop urban policies.

A fresh inquest is set to be held into the death of nine-year-old Ella Kissi-Debrah, whose fatal asthma attack in 2013 may have been linked to air pollution near her Lewisham home.

Andrew Carter, chief executive of Centre for Cities, agreed the UK Government should adopt the WHO's stricter guidelines around PM2.5 emissions, as the Scottish Government has.

Mr Carter said: "Politicians often talk tough on addressing air pollution but we need to see more action.

"Cities should be at the centre of the fight against 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 extra money and introduce stricter guidelines.

"The deadly levels of polluted air we're breathing are legal across most of the UK. This needs to change."

The study found that more than one in 19 deaths in UK towns and cities is linked to air pollution, and that people are 25 times more likely to die from long-term exposure to pollution than in a car crash.

Schoolgirl Ella, who lived 25 metres from the South Circular, one of the busiest roads in the capital, died after three years of repeated hospital visits.

She was first taken to hospital in 2010 after having a coughing fit and was subsequently admitted 27 times before her death.

A 2014 inquest found that she died from “acute respiratory failure”, but in May of this year the High Court ruled the death should be looked at again.

Ella’s family’s lawyers argued that the new evidence showed there was an “arguable failure” by the state in the execution of its duties under the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects right to life.

The inquest, which could take place in either November or December this year, is likely to last two weeks.