TRANSPORT for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and the Mayor of Greater Manchester are urging the public to help clean up the air that we breathe as part of the Clean Air Day, today, June 15.

There are a number of events taking part today to raise awareness of the day, including a clean air dome in Piccadilly Gardens (7.30am-5.30pm), a TfGM team in the Orient at the Trafford Centre (10am-6pm) and health professionals giving out information at both the Manchester Royal Infirmary and Wythenshawe Hospital (10am-2pm).

It is estimated that 2,000 people die prematurely in Manchester every year due to air pollution.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “You might not be able to see it, but air pollution is one of the greatest challenges to Greater Manchester’s health.

"It’s not something that any one person or organisation can tackle alone, we all have to play our part. Just a simple change to your everyday life can make a difference for the whole community if we all join in.

"I encourage everyone to make their pledge now, can you use public transport or walk or cycle more often?

"Perhaps walking the kids to school is an option, or you could introduce home-working or a car sharing scheme for your employees and if you already do all those things, encourage your family and friends to play their part too."

Primary schools across Greater Manchester are also joining in with the events as they try and create viral social media adverts to highlight what people can do to improve air quality.

Helen Smith, TfGM’s head of logistics, environment and active travel, said: "We’re very excited to participate in the UK’s first Clean Air Day and there’s plenty going on across the region for everyone to join in and find out more about how air quality affects us all.

"Both short and long-term exposure to air pollutants can affect people’s health, with poor air quality contributing to respiratory illness, heart disease and some cancers.

"We’re working with schools, businesses, local authorities and the NHS across Greater Manchester to raise awareness of this and offer practical advice and help on how to take action."

TfGM are also working with more than 500 businesses to help them become more sustainable and to try and reduce the business's and employee's contribution to air pollution.