OFFICIALS are driving ahead with a campaign to encourage people to leave their cars at home.

Council chief executives from Sunderland, Newcastle and County Durham are joining Nexus and the Countryside Agency to back the 2003 Leg-it campaign.

Aimed at encouraging people to leave their cars at home and travel to work or school by other means, it will culminate in Leg-it day, on Thursday, June 12.

Kingsley Smith, chief executive of Durham County Council, said: "We are encouraging people to ditch the car and walk, cycle, bus and train their way to a better quality of life."

Further information on Leg-it is available at www.legitday.com. For an information pack for schools and companies, contact 0191-383 3721.