The council has been awarded a £632,700 government grant to install the latest pollution-reducing and fuel saving technology on the city's buses.

Southampton was one of eleven local authorities to be awarded funds from the Department for Transport's Clean Bus Technology Fund. The grant means buses can be upgraded with pollution-reducing and fuel saving technology on transport routes with poor air quality, to reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions.

Buses will be fitted with 'gyrodrive' flywheel technology, which was developed for use in Formula One, to reduce harmful emissions and increase fuel economy, with installation by bus operators completed by the end of March 2014.

The council says the new technology is great for "the stop/start urban traffic environment of Southampton", and that it will lead to real improvements in air quality on some of our most congested streets.

It says it's good news for the environment and health – and in particular asthma sufferers in the city.