Fumes 'may cause strokes'

TINY chemical particles emitted by diesel exhaust fumes could raise the risk of heart attacks, research has shown.

Scientists from Edinburgh University have found that ultra-fine particles produced when diesel burns can increase the chances of blood clots forming in arteries, leading to a heart attack or stroke.

The "invisible" particles - less than a millionth of a metre wide - can be filtered out of exhaust emissions by fitting special particle traps to vehicles.