The first evidence that London's air is cleaner and safer since the congestion charge came in has been unveiled by the Mayor.

Ken Livingstone told a Commons committee levels of pollution had fallen significantly since the £5 charge reduced traffic in the city.

Levels of particulates - tiny smoke and dust molecules which can cause cancer and breathing problems - have dropped by 12 per cent in the charging zone, he said.

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Carbon monoxide emissions from cars have fallen by a fifth and levels of nitrous oxide, a powerful greenhouse-gas which can cause smog, have gone down by 12 per cent.

The Mayor revealed the figures, which he said he had just received, as he defended the charge in front of the Transport Select Committee.

"These figures are slightly better than we dared to expect," he said, adding that for some people the difference could influence whether or not they suffered from a cancer.

Challenged over the charge's impact on businesses and an overall fall of 5,000 visitors to the capital, he urged: "I think that's a small price to pay for the environmental benefits. I think most people would agree the air is better in London now."

In an hour-long grilling by the committee, which is set to recommend whether other cities should copy London's charging scheme, Mr Livingstone also warned the capital could become "extremely unpleasantly congested" if vital new rail schemes fail to get a government go-ahead this year.

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