environment bosses are drawing up an action plan after recording high levels of air pollution in a popular New Forest village.

Lyndhurst High Street has been identified as a pollutant hot spot because of its problems with traffic congestion, especially during rush hour periods.

The village regularly turns into a motoring nightmare with its narrow streets, one-way system, traffic lights and links to major routes including the M27 to Southampton and Bournemouth.

In 2003 and 2004 high levels of nitrogen dioxide, caused by vehicle emissions, were calculated at three sites in the High Street.

The government's target is 40 micrograms per cubic metre, but at two sites in Lyndhurst High Street near the main traffic light junction with Romsey Road it was found to be approaching 50 micrograms.

The site has subsequently been declared an Air Quality Management Area and an action plan will be drawn up to try to improve it.

Carole Gallagher, New Forest District Council's environmental protection manager, said: "We recognise that sometimes these things are out of our control."

She added: "Traffic congestion is sometimes difficult to alleviate. We have to go in pursuit of that objective and do things likely to reduce air

pollution in Lyndhurst such as phasing the traffic lights. If you improve the congestion in Lyndhurst the pollutant levels will reduce."

The AQMA's boundaries are now being finalised and environment bosses recently consulted with Lyndhurst Parish Council.

They decided the area should stretch from one end of the High Street to the other, taking in St Michael & All Angels Infant School at one end, down to the post office and tearooms at the other. It will also include the Gosport Lane turning.

Further public consultation will be conducted before the boundaries are finalised.

"People should not be overly worried if they go walking on the High Street," said Mrs Gallagher.

"They won't suffer adverse reactions. If people already suffer with asthma or chest problems, it's more likely to aggravate them."

Ron Newton, co-ordinator of the New Forest branch of Friends of the Earth, said: "I am not surprised because it's a terrible bottleneck.

"I am very glad to hear that the local authority is doing this. It can't be left to central government because we have to start at the grass roots with these sort of problems."