COMMUTERS in the North-East have taken car sharing to heart, according to a new survey.

The Department of Transport's national travel survey has revealed that more people in the region share cars to get to work than anywhere else in the country.

The survey was conducted as part of research by the Government department into ways in which to encourage people to travel in more environmentally-friendly ways.

The survey revealed that 49 per cent of people in the North-East drive to work compared with 64 per cent in Wales and 54 per cent in North Yorkshire.

But, more importantly, 20 per cent of people were passengers in a car getting to work in the region compared with nine per cent in the South-East and 15 per cent in North Yorkshire.

Although the percentage of drivers in London was less than in the North-East, the percentage of passengers was also low, at only six per cent.

The survey also revealed that 20 per cent of commuters in the North-East used public transport and 12 per cent walked or cycled.

The results of the Government's research will be used to devise new policies to encourage more commuters to think green.