Hundreds of people across Sussex will be sent smog alerts via text message in an effort to reduce ill health caused by air pollution.

In what will be the first scheme of its kind outside London, Sussex Air, a local authority scheme monitoring air pollution, is planning a text alert service for people with heart disease and respiratory conditions such as asthma.

The scheme will be piloted by up to 500 people, and other local authorities and primary care trusts (PCTs) are planning similar services.

The service will alert vulnerable people via their mobile phone on mornings when air pollution is moderate or high. The text messages will provide advice on how best to minimise their exposure to pollution and how to manage any related health problems.

People sensitive to pollutants such as low-lying ozone would be told not to spend too much time outside during the danger period and to make sure they have access to inhalers and appropriate medicines.

Nigel Jenkins, project development officer for Sussex Air, based at Lewes District Council, said new technology was making it possible. He said: "It is something we are planning in the near future."

Patients will be contacted to take part through their primary care trust or GP. Planning the pilot, which would take place in two health authority areas in East and West Sussex, is expected to take at least six months.

Two weeks ago the Government issued a medium warning for Sussex with the possibility of going higher.

Health officials fear an extended heatwave predicted for later this summer could lead to a repeat of the high smog levels in 2003, when it is estimated up to 800 premature deaths occurred as a result of poor air quality.

Sussex Air measures pollution at a range of sites and is shortly to install two new measuring stations and ten micro-sensors using European funding.