DOZENS of workers braved the rain to get on their bikes.

Staff from Nationwide, Swindon Council and the Great Western Hospital were on a rally between the three sites to promote Bike2Work week, which runs until tomorrow.

The thrust of the campaign is to encourage employees to cycle to work to reduce carbon emissions and so also cut the impact on climate change - and also become fitter.

A Nationwide spokesman said that the company has organised several activities and competitions during the week to promote the fun, healthy and sustainable aspects of cycling.

It said that last year Bike2Work week saw 140 per cent more employees cycling to the head offices in Pipers Way.

Andrew Litchfield, Nationwide's head of community and environmental affairs, said: "Nationwide believes all organisations have a responsibility to go beyond purely commercial interests.

"As a mutual, Nationwide is committed to taking an active role in protecting the environment.

"The link-up with Bike2Work week is the latest sustainable initiative from the society to encourage employees to go green and reduce carbon emissions by cycling to work."

The Nationwide employees who cycled to work could enter the national Bike2Work competition for a chance to win a family break to Center Parcs, £100 vouchers and one of 100 Bike2Work water bottles.

Council spokesman Richard Freeman said: "We're keen to do what we can to encourage people to use their bicycles, as it's good for both the environment and their health.

"We do promote cycling and we have a bike pool at the offices and we have lock-ups for bikes."

The Advertiser launched the Time To Change campaign to highlight how everyone can help minimise their impact on the environment by taking easy steps to live a greener life.