A EURO-MP from Warrington is celebrating after seeing an environmental wish list turn into reality.

Chris Davies, the Liberal Democrat environment spokesman, has brokered a deal that will see air pollution from traffic fumes and solvents cut by governments in the European Union.

The deal, which was agreed last week, means those governments have agreed to reduce ozone pollution - which can cause severe breathing problems, headaches and eye irritation - and improve air quality within the next 10 years. Mr Davies has been responsible for taking the measure through the Strasbourg assembly and has led the parliament's negotiating team over the past two years.

Originally the European Commission proposed non-binding targets to limit the number of times each year that pollution levels would breach World Health Organisation guidelines, but Mr Davies claims MEPs have negotiated a deal which requires governments to take action, or face legal measures.

He said: "We have turned a wish list into a programme of action which will improve air quality across Europe.

The European Parliament has strong powers over environmental issues and we have put some real teeth into what started out as a rather weak proposal."

The EU directive on ozone in ambient air must now be incorporated into British law within the next 18 months.