Air pollution soared to “very high” levels across urban parts of England on Monday as still, foggy weather kept emissions trapped after a weekend of fireworks and bonfires.

Government monitoring showed 11 sites, mainly in London and Greater Manchester, reached the highest band on its 10-point index for particulate matter in the 24 hours to 10am. A further 27 sites recorded “high” levels across the capital, the north-west, the Midlands, Yorkshire and the east of England.

The worst reading was in Hillingdon, west London , where fine particles (PM2.5) peaked at a 24-hour average of 129 micrograms per cubic metre, more than eight times the World Health Organization’s daily guideline. In the north-west, Manchester Piccadilly, Wigan, Blackburn, Preston and Rochdale all reached the “very high” band.

Particulate matter consists of tiny solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air.…