COUNCIL staff in Guisborough are getting on their bikes ... but the authority couldn't be more pleased.

For it's all part of a scheme to encourage workers to leave their cars at home and cycle to the office.

To start the initiative, the Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, Coun Eric Jackson, welcomed the cyclists with a healthy breakfast as they pulled into the council's new Belmont House Centre on Monday.

From the word go, the building was geared up to provide facilities for cycling workers transferring from the old Cargo Fleet offices.

Now there are cycle lockers, clothes lockers and showers.

Other ideas to cut car use include a bus pass discount scheme with Arriva and Stagecoach and a database for car-sharing arrangements.

The council's travel awareness officer, Janet Easley, said: "I want to see car use minimised, so we are practising what we preach and piloting this scheme in Guisborough."

About a dozen people have said they will cycle to work and Ms Easley says this is an excellent start.

As up to 1,000 cars an hour use Rectory Lane, where the offices are situated, she says: "If everyone cycled in just once a week it would make a huge difference."

As he handed out orange juice, fruit and healthy sandwiches, Coun Jackson said: "This is a brilliant idea."