Campaigners have celebrated securing a fleet of cleaner buses to ease the air pollution problem in Putney.

Members of the Putney Society, alongside Wandsworth Environment Forum (WEF) and cabinet member for Environment Councillor Jonathan Cook posed by one of the new hybrid buses.

Earlier this year the Wandsworth Guardian ran a campaign after it emerged levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exceeded EU regulations 18 times in Putney High Street.

This was more high readings in a few weeks than is permitted for the whole year.

Research shows high levels of pollution can cause asthma in young children, as well as cardiac and respiratory problems.

A Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) report last year found buses account for more than two thirds of NO2 emissions in Putney High Street, despite making up only 10 per cent of vehicle flow.

TfL responded by promising cleaner buses for the area, with 46 of the high polluting buses replaced this month.

There are now 10 low emission hybrid buses, while 85 of the diesel buses will be retrofitted with catalytic converters.

It is hoped the upgrade programme will be completed by March 2013.

Deputy council leader, Jonathan Cook, said:  "It’s very encouraging to see greener, cleaner buses coming into service on Putney High Street and we will be tracking their impact on pollutions levels very closely in the weeks ahead.

"But this is not a quick fix for the high street’s air quality problem and work is continuing on several fronts to bring the pollution level down."