Utilities contractor McNicholas has swapped horsepower for pedal power by switching some of its staff from cars on to mountain bikes.

Employees who were working in areas that were difficult to reach came up with the suggestion to ease congestion and protect the environment.

Seven bikes are in use on projects in Oxfordshire, Essex and Leicestershire by managers who make site visits.

The company’s senior project manager Chris Jowitt explained: “I thought it was a great suggestion so the company bought seven cycles and now they are in use pretty much every day by anyone who needs them.”