Particles from fireworks and bonfires likely to have contributed to levels well above WHO’s daily guideline

Air pollution soared to “very high” levels across urban parts of England on Monday as still, foggy weather kept emissions trapped after a weekend of fireworks and bonfires.

Government monitoring showed 11 sites, mainly in London and Greater Manchester, reached the highest band on its 10-point index for particulate matter in the 24 hours to 10am. A further 27 sites recorded “high” levels across the capital, the north-west, the Midlands, Yorkshire and the east of England.