HEALTHY commuters have reaped the reward for finding an alternative way to travel to work.

They have received prizes after winning Bury's Health Commuter Challenge, which encourages people to walk, cycle or use public transport instead of the car.

Competitors scored points depending on their mode of transport during the June challenge, which coincided with the national Festival of Cycling.

The winner was Mr Simon Walsh of Seedfield, Bury, who cycled each day to work at Central Manchester Healthcare Trust. He received a £100 voucher from Pilkington Cycles to spend at the store. Mr Walsh said: "I cycle to work because it is the quickest and cheapest way I can get there. I think this challenge was a great idea, although I didn't expect to win. I hope it encourages more people to cycle to work as there are too many cars on the roads."

The runners-up were Mr Vincent Waite from Radcliffe and Mr Stuart McKenzie from Chadderton, who each picked up a £50 voucher from Halfords, Bury. Mr Waite works for Harland Machine Systems and Mr McKenzie, who cycled to work, is employed with Bury Council's highways department.

The youngest participant in the challenge was seven-year-old Alex Vyas, who cycled to school each day.

Councillor Julie Higson, environment and transport chairman, said: "We are always trying to encourage people to consider alternative forms of transport to the car. The Healthy Commuter Challenge was a fun way of doing that.

"We thank all those who took part and hope that they will continue to use cycles or public transport to get around our borough and encourage others to do the same."