STAFF at the Town Hall have been told to get 'on yer bike' quite literally in the latest environmental drive.

The council employees will have the chance to get fit while they work by using a bike, bought by the environmental health department, to cycle between different sites.

The bicycle, from Sutcliffe's Cycles in Preston, will be available for officers to use on shorter journeys - and even includes a carrier for paperwork, donated by Raleigh.

Short journeys made on the bike will be cheaper, quicker and emit less pollution than using any other form of transport.

Helen Freeman, chief environmental health officer, said: "The purchase of the bicycle links in with a number of initiatives that the environmental department and the council, as a whole, is undertaking to ensure that the quality of Preston's air improves for us now and for future generations."

The council is carrying out a review and assessment of the air quality in the borough and are urging members of the public to join them in trying to cut pollution.

Officers are hoping others follow their lead after switching all council fleet vehicles to ultra-low sulphur diesel, along with Preston Bus three weeks ago.

Lancashire's Travelwise and Preston Borough Council will host National Green Transport Week in June.

The University of Central Lancashire, North West Lancashire Health Promotion Unit and police will all organise events during the week.

All Town Hall directors have pledged to use public transport on National Car Free Day and the leisure services department will be co-ordinating a series of children's cycle events.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.