Innovative Manchester researchers have developed a new synthetic material which could help drive the next generation of high-performance hydrogen cars.

Scientists at the Organic Materials Innovation Centre in Manchester have been awarded £150,000 to explore how a special polymer can capture and recover carbon dioxide as it is released into the atmosphere.

According to the University of Manchester, preliminary results are "encouraging", with "significant quantities" of CO2 adsorbed.

Dr Peter Budd, who is leading the study, said that at a time when climate change and dwindling oil reserves are on the political agenda, hydrogen "could be the perfect zero-carbon fuel for a car as it only gives water as a by-product".

The 18-month study is being funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

According to the Northwest Regional Development Agency, the region is the leading producer of advanced materials in Europe.