WORKERS are being encouraged to leave their cars at home and cycle to work.

Wednesday, is National Bike to Work Day and Durham County Council wants as many people as possible in the county to take part.

Ben Dellow, the council's travel plan officer, said: "All riders have to do is register on the Bike to Work database by Monday, and let me know which route they are using to get to their County Durham workplace.

"We can then supply them with an On yer Bike T-shirt.

"It's healthy, it's fun, it saves fuel costs and helps the environment.

"Some organisations even put on breakfast as an additional reward for people who bike to work."

Cycle vouchers worth £200 are also up for grabs, courtesy of Raleigh Cycle Centre in Peterlee.

They will be raffled at the company or organisation, which has the most people cycling to work.

The council is also calling on car drivers to be more vigilant and look out for cyclists on the roads every day.

l The Bike to Work hotline can be contacted on 0191-383 3721.