HUGE new anti-idling signs have been installed outside 11 Southend schools as part of an eye-catching campaign to slash air pollution.

The bright new banners include the slogan “Cough! Cough! Engine Off!” as well as asking parents to “please switch off your engine in this area”.

Banners have already been installed at all 11 schools alongside a “living green wall” which has been installed at St Mary’s School, in Boston Avenue, Prittlewell.

The wall acts as a natural air filer, trapping airborne pollutants and particles, resulting in cleaner and healthier air for everyone.”

Both schemes form part of Southend Council's commitment to tackling air quality, particularly around the A127 and A13 following a £256,285 grant from the Government last year.

Labour councillor responsible for climate and environment, Lydia Hyde, is confident the campaign will make parents to think twice, but added cameras could be installed it fails to bring down air pollution levels.

She said: “The signage is going to have an effect, there is a lack of awareness around the issue and with this scheme, the children have had assemblies to bring the message to parents.

“Poor air quality while idling can damage the health of your child and using that to encourage people to switch off their engines works, where this has been done with smoking campaigns, around not smoking near kids it can be done.

“We feel a similar message works, you wouldn’t smoke around them and in the same way you don’t want these fumes in their lungs, we feel this can be a positive.”

Ms Hyde added that council also has three civil enforcement officer who can dish out fines but while they can be placed outside any school in Southend to tackle the issue, they can’t be placed everywhere so prevention is the best solution.

She added: “We are installing really top-level sensing equipment which can sense the air quality in and out of schools, we have some really good data and I do believe it will reduce levels.

“We will be able to check the before and after.”

Should the scheme be a success, Ms Hyde has said it could be expanded “to have signs around all schools”.

However, if air pollution levels do not drop the council will look at cameras and more officers.

Ms Hyde said: “It is about looking at all options and using whatever works, we want to improve this.”