HOSPITAL staff are being encouraged to get on their bike -- or bus -- to work as part of a healthy transport scheme this week.

Blackpool Victoria Hospital is encouraging members of staff to find an alternative to driving to work, including walking, cycling, public transport or car sharing.

Trust chief executive, Roy Male, is backing the scheme by getting the bus from his St Annes home as well as car sharing.

"There is a constant demand for car parking spaces at the hospital so we have to look seriously at alternative methods of getting to work," said Mr Male: "This week will help promote the different options available to staff and visitors, other than taking the car."

Tim Evans, the trust's director of finance, regularly walks the mile or so to work from his Blackpool home.

He said: "Walking to work avoids the traffic congestion that can build up around the hospital and is a great way to blow the cobwebs away and clear your mind for the day ahead." Travel co-ordinator, Keri Graham, who organised the week's events, said: "We recognise that traffic congestion causes many problems including delays in travel time, increased health and safety risks as well as the impact on the environment.

"We hope that by trying out different ways of getting to work staff and visitors will see the benefits of leaving their car at home."

The initiative is being supported by Blackpool Transport, who are offering hospital staff free travel to work on their Lifestyle Line service. Displays highlighting the benefits of using alternative transport messages have been set up in the hospital dining room, with bus timetables provided in the outpatients department.