Council chiefs are being urged to spend thousands of pounds hosing water on to North Yorkshire's streets to tackle pollution caused by global warming.

Experts have warned rising temperatures could lead to a greater risk of flooding, housing subsidence, health troubles and breakdowns to roads and railways.

Now the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has backed a new set of guidelines to limit the impact of "hotter summers and wetter winters".

The advice, drawn up by the UK Climate Impacts Programme, is being sent to City of York Council, North Yorkshire County Council and district councils across the region. Steps include hosing down urban streets to prevent dust getting into the air and aggravating asthma.

Updated: 10:58 Wednesday, July 30, 2003