MOTORISTS left their cars at home yesterday, as part of a council initiative to improve health, cut congestion and help the planet.

Durham County Council was holding its third Do It Different Day, asking workers, residents and visitors to travel to Durham City by other means than the car.

Travel planning team leader Ian Henry led the effort, running 14 miles to Durham from his home in Bishop Auckland.

Mr Henry left shortly after 6am, arriving at work two-and-a-quarter hours later.

He said: “There are some people we know who are never going to get out of their cars. But generally people have been very receptive.

“Some people are doing it to save money, others to get fitter and lose a bit of weight, and others because they are passionate about the environment.”

The first Do It Different Day was held in January last year and was filmed for the Channel 4 documentary The Woman Who Stopped Traffic.

Yesterday, events and stalls were held in Durham Market Place.

Exhibitors included Cycle Force 2000, St John Ambulance cycle response team, Go North East, the Option C car club and Durham University’s solar car project.

Although the success of the day has not yet been fully assessed, Mr Henry said Neville’s Cross, in Durham, and the County Hall car park seemed less congested than usual.