AN EVENT to launch Southampton's pollution-battling Green City Charter will be taking place this week.

Coinciding with National Clean Air Day on Thursday, the city council will introduce measures to create a cleaner, greener, healthier and more sustainable city.

It will launching at the Guildhall from 12pm to 2pm, with the council claiming that it will make Southampton a better place for present and future generations.

Hoping to combat the effects of climate change, the council aims to lead by example by setting "challenging" goals.

Leader of the city council, Cllr Christopher Hammond said “Southampton City Council is proud to be introducing some of the most ambitious measures to improve air quality and prevent a climate crisis ever adopted by a UK council through the Green City Charter.

"Now is the time for action to be taken as a collective rather than in isolation. Through the Charter, I’m calling on everybody to get involved in efforts to clean up the city and make it a greener and healthier place to live.

"It’s encouraging that many of the city’s biggest players are getting behind the vision for the charter including Southampton Football Club, Bluestar, University of Southampton, and the port companies, ABP and DP World.

"Together, we can show future generations that we helped to create a better future through the charter."

The invite-only event will be attended by organisations and community groups from across the city who will be key in supporting the council's efforts to improve air quality and live more sustainably.

From 10am to 3pm the public is invited to attend a day of activities to mark National Clean Air Day, in Guildhall Square.

There will be a range of activities that showcase what is being done to improve air quality and encourage more sustainable travel in and around the city.

Also at the event will be First Bus and Bluestar, zero emissions delivery service Zedify, green energy providers CitizEn Energy and JoJu, suppliers of electric vehicle charging points.

The Richmond Motor Group will be showcasing vehicles from the electric Hyundai range while Decathlon will be providing a range of bikes to try out.

Members of the public can sign the charter online via the council website.