People in Barnet will soon be breathing more freely thanks to an award from the Mayor of London.

Boris Johnson has awarded Barnet Borough Council £260,000 from his Air Quality Fund to cut down on pollution in the borough.

The authority will use £200,000 to improve air quality in North Finchley town centre by planting a wall using plants that remove pollutants.

Cycle parking bays and charging points for electric cars will also be installed.

The money adds to the £1.4million gained from the Mayor’s Outer London Fund, which Barnet Council is going to use to plant new trees and flower beds and improve pedestrian access in the high street.

The remaining £60,000 will pay for an apprentice who will spend three years working for Barnet and Harrow Councils to improve air quality.

The apprentice will engage with local residents and businesses including shipping and bus companies to support green travel.

The apprentice will also work with schools to support their travel plans and will work with members of the public to perform science experiments measuring air pollution, targeting vehicle idling, and promoting safer cycling.

Mr Johnson said: “This is all about helping local people to take forward projects they know will help tackle the most polluted parts of their neighbourhoods.

“The more we work together to tackle air quality, the bigger the potential impact, and this funding will be used to make a real improvement.”

Cabinet member for environment Councillor Dean Cohen said he was delighted to have gained the funding from the Mayor of London.

He added the council was already working with businesses and developers across the borough to imprive air quality and ensure new housing areas were built away from the most polluted roads.

Cllr Cohen, who represents Golders Green, said: “We are serious about improving air quality in Barnet.

“Long term monitoring of air quality in Barnet shows a steady improvement over time. However, we can still improve further and we aim to do so.”