With research indicating tens of thousands of people dying each year through toxic emissions from ships, plans are being drafted to ban high polluting vessels from the English Channel, one of the world's busiest seaways.

Around 39,000 people each year across Europe are dying through toxic emissions from ships, according to research.

And the EU is planning the first low-emission marine zones, designed to limit pollution from cargo ships which can emit the same amount of pollution as 50 million cars in one year.

The low emission zones are planned to cover the English Channel, North Sea and Baltic Sea. They will limit sulphur and nitrogen emissions.

Research suggests shipping pollutants cause tens of thousands of premature deaths in coastal regions around the world each year.

It has long been known that particulates and the compounds of sulphur and oxygen emitted by ship engines are linked to heart and lung diseases and cancer.

One study published recently by the EU suggested that shipping pollutants were taking several months off the average lifespan of every European.

Shipping's international nature excludes it from most national laws controlling pollution. It means the 289 million tons of fuel burnt by the world's 100,000 cargo ships can be taken from the cheapest and most contaminated sources.

These may contain 2000 times the levels of sulphur allowed in diesel sold for cars, plus heavy metals and other contaminants.