The mayor of Bristol is mulling over the pros and cons of introducing a low emission zone (LEZ) in the south-west city.

George Ferguson is looking for ways to improve the area's poor air pollution performance and it could follow the lead of London and Norwich, which both penalise gas guzzling vehicles that enter their city centres, the BBC reports.

Mr Ferguson told the news provider it would be "irresponsible" not to give the idea plenty of consideration.

He added that lorries and coaches that produce excessive levels of carbon emissions would not be charged to access inner-city Bristol, they would just be banned outright.

Understandably, some logistics organisations have already raised questions about the plans, as companies might find it nigh on impossible to make deliveries in the city if a LEZ is brought in.

In London, LEZ thresholds are set according to EU emission standards and any vehicle that exceeds these levels have to pay a daily charge.