PEOPLE in Bury have been branded the laziest travellers in the region when getting to and from work.

Just over 10 per cent of workers commuting in the borough go by foot or on a bike, compared to 19.4 per cent of people in Cumbria.

The figures, collected by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, show that a total of 363,681 workers in the region get a daily dose of exercise while travelling to and from work on foot or bike. But only 7,894 of this total are in Bury, with almost five times more in Cumbria.

Bury came bottom of a table for north west authorities, revealing 6,847 went on foot to work, and 1,047 cycled.

People of all ages are now being urged to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

Dr Peter Elton, director of public health for Bury Primary Care Trust, said: "Making your car journey shorter, even if it means an extra 10 minute walk to work will make you healthier."

To get the people of Bury on their feet and in the saddle, Bury Council has organised its own travel plan. The scheme includes a travel-to-work initiative and promotes the benefits of walking and cycling to work.

Chris Wilkinson, an environment project officer with Bury Council, said: "The 2001 census figures do show that fewer than 10 per cent of people in Bury walk or cycle to work. However, they don't show how many people walk or cycle for other journeys or for fun and we suspect that if these were taken into account, Bury residents wouldn't seem quite so inactive."