HIGH levels of a potentially harmful gas have been found in nine areas of Weymouth.

Air quality tests revealed large amounts of nitrogen dioxide at King Street, Littlemoor Road, Rodwell Road, Preston Road, St Thomas Street, Manor Roundabout and three sites along Dorchester Road.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council identified the sites as causing 'particular concern' after tests were carried out at 16 places across the borough.

Excessive doses of nitrogen dioxide - which are mainly caused by emissions from cars sitting in traffic - can result in severe lung damage and health problems, especially for asthma sufferers.

A report from the council's environmental health unit has highlighted King Street as the only spot to have 'relevant public exposure'.

This means the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) could announce action must be taken to cut the level of nitrogen dioxide at King Street, if it is declared an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA).

This would be the first time any part of the borough has been identified as an AQMA since testing began 10 years ago. The latest figures show a rise in levels of nitrogen dioxide compared with last year's results.

But the borough council says residents are unlikely to suffer any ill effects.

Specialist environmental health officer Coralie McGown, who prepared the report, said the results are estimated average figures for 2005 based on readings from earlier this year and actual values for the whole 12 months could prove to be much lower.

She said: "To decide whether an AQMA needs to be declared, we apply a criteria from DEFRA relating to the amount of relevant public exposure.

"The only site where this applies is King Street because it has an open air caf. These figures are estimated rather than actual results. At the end of the year we may find we are hitting the Government objectives."