Another pollution alert hits Paris

RESIDENTS' parking is free in Paris today as authorities try to discourage people from using their cars in the latest pollution alert to hit the city.

Air quality monitor Airparif says levels of PM10 particles in the air will far exceed the safe limit today, potentially causing problems for people with asthma and other breathing problems.

The last pollution peak was three weeks ago and saw half of cars banned from the region's roads - but that measure has not been implemented yet this time.

If the pollution continues into Thursday, public transport could once again be made free of charge, as well as Vélib bike hire and Autolib electric car sharing.

Alternate traffic arrangements - based on car number plates - can only be implemented it the problem lasts more than three days.