London will receive ten new “low emission bus zones" to help improve air quality on some of the city's dirtiest roads.

Mayor Sadiq Khan has unveiled new zones where greener buses will be deployed to tackle air pollution, as it was revealed that the capital had breached legal annual limits for pollutant nitrogen dioxide in the first five days of 2017.

These new services brings the total number of low emission bus zones to 12, with new routes in places including Edmonton, Stratford and Haringey adding to the previously announced zones in Putney High Street and Brixton.

Greener buses, including hybrids and ones that meet the newest "Euro VI" emissions standards, will be run along the routes to help cut nitrogen dioxide in air pollution hotspots where older buses contribute significantly to road transport emissions.

It is hoped the schemes will cut nitrogen dioxide by 84%.

It is also expected to reduce exposure to pollution for thousands of children who attend the 172 schools which are located within 100 metres of the new zones.

Mr Khan said: "Removing the oldest, dirtiest buses from our streets and delivering low emission bus zones will make a big contribution to tackling transport pollution.

"Safeguarding the health of Londoners is vital and I'm doing everything in my power, both to transform London's bus fleet and to target areas with the worst pollution.

"I want other cities around the world to work with me on demanding cleaner bus technology and I urge our Government to take their responsibility seriously and introduce a national diesel scrappage scheme to deliver the step change we need on the dirtiest diesel vehicles."