POLLUTION experts have found a way of making York's air cleaner.

Test runs of an emissions-slashing catalyst, by City of York Council, have shown it cuts the release of nitrogen oxides by 32 per cent, and of hydrocarbons by 90 per cent.

The researchers claim it costs only £86 - meaning it could have a drastic effect in the city.

The Fitch fuel catalyst was fitted to a Vauxhall Vectra car, which was driven for 5,000 miles by council officers.

It showed major reductions, which has encouraged transport chiefs who are seeking to cut pollution levels.

Lance Saxby, the council's sustainable development officer who supervised the tests, said: "As well as reducing the amount of traffic on our roads, we need to clean up the traffic that remains.

"The Fitch unit we tested performed very well in this respect and we also measured a decrease in fuel consumption. We estimate that over the 5,500 mile test, 290kg of carbon dioxide was saved from entering the atmosphere and causing global warming."

The catalyst can be placed in the fuel tank or fitted into the fuel pipe. It works by changing the fuel so that it burns more completely, which reduces the amount of emissions given off.

Councillor Derek Smallwood, the council's executive member for planning and the environment, said: "I'm very interested in this kind of technology.

"Drivers must take responsibility for the damage they cause to the environment by reducing their car use and producing less pollution. Exhaust emissions are a blight on the health and well-being of the city and we all have a responsibility to cut them."

The point of the tests was to show how much people can do to cut pollution, said Mr Saxby.

Recent tests carried out include equipment for diesel engines in commercial vehicles.

Updated: 08:37 Wednesday, October 02, 2002