ENGLAND'S first pollution-busting "moss tree" was installed in the region on Wednesday to help purify city centre air and create research opportunities.

Northumbrian Water reached an agreement with Newcastle City Council to site the tree at the Haymarket, close to the city's bus interchange and busy main roads.

The moss cultures involved in the "tree" have the ability to filter certain pollutants, by binding them to the leaf surface and then integrating them permanently into their own biomass.

The moss is built into the "tree" structure, which provides the water – largely harvested from the rain – and the shade the moss needs to survive.

The results achieved will be made available for universities and other bodies on an ongoing basis, to feed into their own research on tackling pollution. Built-in sensors will gather information on pollution including nitrogen oxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide, as well as monitoring air humidity, temperature and rainfall.

Nigel Watson, of Northumbrian Water, said: "The Newcastle Moss Tree is a fantastic opportunity to explore a truly innovative way of tackling pollution and sharing the findings with people who can take the concept and expand upon the value it brings to the environment.

"This is a first for England and Wales and we are very proud to be at the forefront of something so exciting."