AN improvement in Swindon's air quality has not prevented the South West from taking bottom spot in a new environment survey.

Research by Forbes Advisor shows the region has the lowest improvement rating in the country.

The South West saw a 3.18 per cent increase in air quality between 2015-20.

Overall air quality was measured with an AQI index score out of 10 given for each town or city - the lower the better.

Bristol ranked 60th overall for its air quality with a score of 4.94/10, an improvement of 18.25 per cent.

Next was Cheltenham with an air quality improvement of 8.6 per cent and an air quality index score of 4.55/10.

Swindon also saw a marked improvement in air quality with an 8 per cent increase and an AQI score of 5.10/10. 

At the other end of the scale, two South West cities saw a decrease in their air quality -  Exeter with a decline at -21.93 per cent and Bath with -0.55 per cent.

Carlise in the North West was revealed as having the best air quality in England and Wales with an improvement of 32 per cent.

Meanwhile, Eastbourne in the South East was revealed as having the worst air quality in England and Wales, with a huge decrease of 41.60 per cent over the five years measured.