Toxic smog from the Continent set to shroud Britain - and skies will remain cloudy until AFTER Friday's eclipse

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A cloud of toxic smog blown across the channel from Europe has sent pollution levels in the UK soaring to dangerous levels and will continue plaguing the country into tomorrow.

High pressure and little wind means the pollution is building up, and also means that the blanket of cloud which is currently covering much of the country will persist into Friday, blocking out the eclipse for most people.

A Met Office spokesman said for most sky-gazers the only sign the eclipse is happening will be when light levels dip at around 9.30am. She added that there will be pockets of clear skies, but that it is difficult to predict where these will be.

Meanwhile the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is advising the elderly, young and those with heart and lung conditions to avoid strenuous activity, especially outdoors, adding that those with asthma may also experience increased breathing problems.

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The Department for Environment, Food and Rural affairs (Defra) is warning the elderly, children and those with heart and lung problems to avoid strenuous activity, especially outdoors (pictured, fog in Manchester this morning)

Pollution blown across from Europe has settled across much of the UK today (left), sending levels of toxic particles soaring, and light winds mean it will remain for much of tomorrow (centre) before dissipating on Friday (right), though cloud will remain, blocking the eclipse

Asthmatics are also being told they may experience increased breathing difficulties after levels of pollutants reach level 9 out of a possible ten earlier today (pictured, Manchester this morning)

High pressure which has settled over the UK will mean little change in the weather over the coming days, with cloud ruining any chance of seeing the eclipse on Friday for most of the country

Pollution blown across from Europe, where Paris is currently shrouded in smog, has sent levels of 'particulate matter' soaring to level nine out of a possible ten across much of the south west and London, while moderate to high levels were recorded across the midlands and parts of Scotland.

A Defra spokesman said: 'Adults and children with heart or lung problems are at greater risk of symptoms. Follow your doctor's usual advice about exercising and managing your condition.

'It is possible that very sensitive individuals may experience health effects even on low air pollution days.'

A Met Office spokesman added: 'Some individuals, such as those with existing heart or lung conditions, may experience increased symptoms.

'The Met Office is working very closely with Defra and Public Health England (PHE) to ensure they have the most up-to-date and accurate air quality forecasts in order to provide relevant advice to the public.'

Kay Boycott, Chief Executive of Asthma UK, says: 'Two thirds of people with asthma find that air pollution makes their asthma worse, putting them at an increased risk of a potentially fatal asthma attack. 

'When air pollution is high it’s vital people with respiratory conditions including asthma check air pollution forecasts, carry their reliever inhaler with them at all times, and ensure that they are taking their preventer inhaler every day because this will help build resilience to asthma triggers like air pollution. 

'People with asthma have told us that on days when air pollution levels are high they feel that they can’t even leave the house for fear that it will trigger an attack.'

London was badly affected by smog in April last year when high pollution levels from Europe combined with toxic particles from the UK and dust blown in from the Sahara to create a thick cloud that was visible across parts of the capital.

Paris is currently shrouded in a thick layer of smog, and pollutants blown over from the continent have been causing problems in the UK

Last year authorities in Paris took the unprecedented step of banning cars from the road for a day in order to cut pollution levels 

Settled weather conditions have allowed pollution levels to rocket, exceeding EU recommended limits by up to three times in some places (pictured, the Eiffel Tower is seen among the smog)

An unusual combination of factors had conspired "to create a 'perfect storm' for air pollution,' according to Helen Dacre, a meteorologist at the University of Reading.

'Toxic gases, such as nitrogen dioxide and ozone, as well as fine dust particles in the air blown in from the Sahara and from burning fossil fuels, all contribute to cause problems for people with heart, lung and breathing problems, such as asthma,' she said. 

Around the same time Paris took the unprecedented step of banning cars from the roads for a day in an effort to ease pollutant levels, which had reached dangerous levels.

For the rest of this week the weather is set to stay mild, dry and predominantly cloudy for most of the UK over the next couple of days and into the weekend, as an area of high pressure persists.

Nicola Maxey, a spokesman for the Met Office, said: 'Tomorrow is going to be similar to today with more cloud around, particularly for the North. There is a chance of showers in the South East and just a risk of some more showers later on for Scotland.

London was badly affected by a 'perfect storm' of smog last year as local pollution, toxic particles from Europe and dust blown across from the Sahara combined to create dangerous conditions

Canary Wharf can just be made out amid a pall of smog that covered London in April last year leading to Defra putting out health warnings

'There is going to be a weather front pushing in to the North West and areas of Scotland which may clear a little of the cloud. Elsewhere it will continue to be cloudy. If you catch a break in the cloud, like today, you will see some sunshine.

'It will be cloudy throughout Friday with a chance of some breaks, though it is too early to say exactly where they might be.

'Saturday there will still be cloud around with temperatures dropping because we have got air moving in from the North, bringing them down to a little below average. It will be much the same on Sunday.'