By Chris Owen
Published in The News on Thursday 19 May 2011 09:45

THEY agreed to start their day a different way, put their best foot forward and try to help make the world a better place.

All week these workers at a Portsmouth recruitment agency have been swapping their cars for their feet to save petrol-guzzling miles and prevent polluting emissions.

They are taking part in the annual Big Green Commuter Challenge in which workers are encouraged to give up their car and try alternative ways of getting to the office.

Jane Barry, the operations and human resources manager for Key Recruitment in Commercial Road, Portsmouth, said her company was so enthused by last year’s event that everyone was keen to take part this week.

She said: ‘Petrol was expensive enough this time last year, but it’s rocketed in price even more since then, which has focused minds even more.

‘People were much more keen to try coming into work using alternative methods, whether it’s on the train or bus, by bike, sharing a car or walking.’

Last year Key won the challenge in the small organisation category.

Jane, who lives in Copnor, Portsmouth, and is cycling to work this week, added: ‘Last year’s success boosted everyone and made people think about how they travel. Every member of staff is taking part in the challenge this year.

‘And it hasn’t just been a five-minute wonder – we’ve carried on doing it throughout the year.’

This year’s challenge, the ninth, continues until Sunday.

It is co-ordinated by Portsmouth City Council and runs across the wider Portsmouth area.

Amanda Morris, the travel plan officer for the city council and the event’s mastermind, said the idea was catching on.

She said: ‘Last year 1,078 people from 32 organisations took part.

‘They saved more than 78,500 car miles and nearly 31,000kg of emissions. It’s growing in popularity every year.’