Animation teaches children about air pollution

Animation created by Rowena Sheehan to help children understand air pollution

A new animation has been created for schoolchildren to highlight the dangers of air pollution and encourage positive changes in travel behaviour.

It is part of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council's Clean Air Schools project and was created by local animator Rowena Sheehan.

The project is funded by Defra's Air Quality Fund and is part of a wider £120,000 investment in air quality improvement initiatives by BCP Council.

Ms Sheehan said it had been a "privilege" to work on the project to help children understand that "air pollution is a serious issue".

The project has been created to help raise awareness of how air pollution affects young people, particularly the one in 11 children in the UK who have asthma.

The animation will be promoted via school communications, ensuring it reaches as many families as possible.

The animation project aims to raise awareness of air pollution and encourage change to travel behaviour

The council has been working alongside active travel charity Sustrans.

The project aims to increase active travel, cut engine idling outside schools, improving air quality and protecting children's health.

Councillor Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for the environment at BCP Council, said: "Air pollution is an invisible but serious problem, especially for children.

"This animation is a fantastic way to help children, and their families understand the impact of air quality and how small changes, like switching off car engines or choosing active travel, can make a big difference."

Animator Rowena Sheehan said: "It's been a privilege to work on this project and create something visually engaging and informative for local schools.

"Air pollution is a serious issue, but animation allows us to present it in a way that children can easily understand and share with their families."