AIR quality in Stockton is set to meet all national standards in the next five years, according to officials.

In a report to the council's Environment Select Committee, Andy Edwards, the director of environment and technical services, said a review of air quality in the town revealed the area would meet all necessary standards by 2005.

Under the Environment Act 1995 local authorities have to assess air quality in their area and determine which places are unlikely to meet national criteria by 2003 and 2005.

Those places not likely to meet the standards will be declared Air Quality Management Areas by the local authorities and measures will be implemented to address the problems.

Stockton Borough Council has just completed the final draft of its review and Mr Edwards claimed it revealed levels of the seven main pollutants would be reduced by the national deadline.

Concern was expressed in the report about some industry emissions of sulphur dioxide but Mr Edwards was confident they would be reduced by 2005.

Mr Edwards said: "Air quality in Stockton will comply with the Government's air quality objectives and therefore there is no need to declare an air quality management area for the borough,

"A comprehensive monitoring programme will be needed so that we can verify whether or not local air quality levels comply with the air quality objectives."