DIESEL and petrol fumes are damaging the air quality in the North Yorkshire twin towns of Malton and Norton and need to be cut, according to Ryedale District Council.

The authority wants to work with other agencies to reach targets set for 2010 for PM10 particulates, says Steven Richmond, the environmental services manager.

Urgent action is needed to improve the quality of the air, especially in central Malton - - otherwise there will be breaches.

It is also vital to prioritise strategic road improvements in both towns, says the 40-page report, which will be presented to the community services and licensing committee.

"There remains a significant risk that provisional air quality objectives for particulates will be breached at locations with relevant public explosure," says Mr Richmond.

However, in the district overall, there was not an air quality management problem for either particulates or nitrogen dioxide.

Road traffic contributes 25 per cent of national particulates emissions.

The report says that a six- month survey was carried out in Malton to monitor for particulates. It was predicted "to be probable" that the annual level for particulates in 2010 would be exceeded throughout central Malton.

Worst-affected areas are at Butchers Corner and along Castlegate to the level crossing in Norton.