Protester fakes pollution death at council meeting

The clean air protesters gathered ahead of a full council meeting in Northampton

Clean air campaigners staged a death from a disease caused by air pollution during a meeting of a council.

A member of a protest group fell to the ground in the public gallery at West Northamptonshire Council.

Campaigner Tina Matthew, who was speaking during the incident, told the council it had to "take action on Northampton's toxic air".

Council cabinet member David Smith said air pollution was a "priority... and one that we take incredibly seriously".

The group staged a spring clean before the West Northamptonshire Council meeting

During the section of the public meeting where the public are able to address the council, a member of the "1,000 Voices" campaign fell to the ground coughing and spluttering.

Ms Matthew called for West Northamptonshire Council to publish its Air Quality Action Plan by 1 July.

The group "cleaned" inside the Guildhall before the meeting

The group also staged a "spring clean" at Northampton's Guildhall ahead of the meeting.

Conservative Mr Smith, cabinet member for community safety, engagement and regulatory services, said the council was developing an Air Quality Action Plan.

He urged people to take part in the current consultation, which is open until 1 April.