In brief: Group tackles motorists over smog

The environmental law and resource centre Earthrights has issued a compensation claim to the Motor Insurers Bureau on behalf of an asthma sufferer who was confined to her bed for two days after an asthma attack triggered by smog. The bureau handles compensation claims on behalf of untraceable drivers and Londoner Brendalyn Fougeras-Lavergnolle is blaming her attack on motorists who ignored a government warning to leave their cars at home during a recent smog alert. Earthrights solicitor John Dunkley said: "The claim rests on the fact that a large number of drivers took no notice of the Government warning and used their cars negligently."