Glasgow City Council is to conduct random roadside vehicle emission tests today as part of an initiative to combat pollution levels in the city.

A £200,000 advertising campaign funded by the Scottish Executive will also be launched to warn motorists about new powers granted to the city council to clampdown on high-emission vehicles.

If a car is found to exceed emission levels the council can issue a £60 fixed penalty ticket, which can then be waived at a later date if the defect is fixed.

Strathclyde Police has been seconded to help the council enforce the environmental regulations, while environmental health officers will also organise free voluntary emission tests throughout March.

Under the new legislation, drivers who leave their engines running while parked will also be forced to turn off their engines or face a £20 fine.

David Stevenson, who sits on Glasgow City Council's environmental protection services committee, told the Herald: 'Everyone who lives in and travels to Glasgow has a responsibility to cut down air pollution.

'We've launched It's Time To Clear The Air to remind people not just about the fines we can impose, but also of the serious consequences if we don't start cutting down on vehicle emissions now.'