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 37,489 people, 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. The next lowest authority was Stockport with only 10.9 per cent of its population taking a healthy option.

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

A report from England's chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, said that physical activity is key to reducing the risks of cancer, heart disease and obesity.

He said people should make exercise part of their daily life -- walking instead of taking the bus and taking the stairs instead of the lift. And there was clear scientific evidence to show exercise can improve health.

Dr Peter Elton, director of public health for Bury Primary Care Trust, agreed with the report, and said people could become healthier by changing just small things in their lifestyle.

He said: "Making your car journey shorter, even if it means an extra 10 minute walk to work will make you healthier. This follows the latest advice from the Chief Medical Officer. Cycling to work is even healthier, and it would be really good if employers could encourage staff to cycle to work."

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 to help reduce car dependency by changing people's perceptions of alternative modes of travel to the car 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."

"Nevertheless, the council recognises the importance of physical activity for personal health and the environment, which is why it has recently produced new strategies for cycling and walking including the publication of a spring park and countryside events programme and a map including safer cycling routes in Bury.

"However, there remains a lot of work to do, particularly in persuading schools and employers to encourage healthy travel, which is why the council has appointed travel plan officers to facilitate this change."