SELBY District Council has responded to claims it had failed to monitor air quality around Drax Power Station.

A report by Biofuelwatch said emissions of dust particles from Drax since its partial conversion to burning wood pellets - or biomass - had risen by 135 per cent, which the power station said were "well within statutory limits".

But the report added: “We found that Selby District Council has never monitored particulates, despite already having air quality issues with other pollutants.”

A council spokesman said it had no statutory duty to monitor emissions from Drax.

"We work within guidelines set by DEFRA to monitor air pollution across the Selby district and the council has a set programme that monitors air quality where required under the standards that we are governed by.

“The Environment Agency is responsible for granting a permit for the operation of the Drax power station and ensure compliance with emission limits in line with DEFRA regulations.”