THREE Notts companies have been recognised for the way their employees have been getting to work – and have now been given extra cash to help staff even more.

The organisations are winners in the Shape Up Notts! Workplace Challenge, launched earlier this year by the Nottingham Post and Sport Nottinghamshire.

The challenge – which ran from June to October – saw Notts firms battle it out for the top spot by swapping their cars for bikes when commuting, and changing their lifestyle habits to become more active.

Competitors from each company gained points for the amount of CO2 they saved, as well as for the amount of exercise they did.

The winners were teams at Nottingham Land Registry, Agathos Systems, and RideWise.

They received their prizes – totalling £8,000 – yesterday, and this money will now be used to provide more active commuting schemes.

Nottingham Land Registry in Beechdale, which had 89 staff in the scheme, won the total points category.

Jonathan Law from Nottingham Land Registry said: "We had staff creating running groups to go out jogging at lunch time, and others logging points by joining after-work sports teams.

"Those who took part are feeling a lot fitter than they were four months ago, and it's really helped to bring a big team together."

In the average points category, Lenton-based cycling group RideWise pedaled their way to the top spot. They also finished first in the total CO2 category.

RideWise plans to use its £4,000 winnings to offer a package worth over £500 each for eight small and medium-sized companies who want to help get their staff cycling to and from work – and, if feasible, on company business.

Gary Smerdon-White of RideWise said: "As strong advocates of cycling, we want to use our prize money to get more people cycling, especially to commute to work and to keep fit so that they are more effective in the workplace.

"It is our aim to get more people cycling more often and, most importantly, more safely."

In the first instance, the offer from RideWise is open to small and medium-sized firms who were registered for the Workplace Challenge on a first-come-first-served basis. However if the full offer is not taken up within a month, RideWise will work to promote the package more widely.

Colwick-based IT company Agathos Systems finished first in the average CO2 category, averaging a saving of 341kg of CO2 between its four contestants.

Simon Starr, of Sport Nottinghamshire, said: "We are thrilled with the success of the Challenge. It has really taken off in many businesses across the county and we don't want that momentum to end.

"Although the challenge has now ended, the Shape Up Notts! online diary and leader board still live on, and competitors can continue to log their points and use the online forum for advice and support".

A total of 93 businesses across Notts take part in the scheme – making 10,873 trips by foot or by bike, and saving 19 tonnes of CO2 in the process.

Councillor Jane Urquhart, portfolio holder for transport and area working at Nottingham City Council said: "The city council has been really pleased to support the Workplace Challenge as it has been a great way of getting local businesses to encourage their staff to become more active."