STAFF at a mental health care trust made the most of the warm weather and swapped their daily routine for a lunchtime bike ride.

The cyclists took part in a four-mile round trip from the Pierremont Unit, at Darlington Memorial Hospital, in Hollyhurst Road, to the £20m mental health unit being built at the town's West Park development.

The event was organised by County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust as part of National Bike Week, in order to encourage staff to think about leaving their car at home and cycle to work.

The riders made the most of the new cycle routes on the A68 and saw preparations for the environmentally-friendly transport plan at the West Park site.

There will be well-maintained cycle paths and footpaths to and around the site.

The hospital will have secure, covered bays for bicycles and lockers and showers for staff.

Chris Parsons, director of facilities at the trust, said: "We have listened to what our staff want and have worked closely with our colleagues from the local authority and with the site developers to provide improved facilities for people who want to cycle or walk to work."

The West Park Hospital is due to be completed by the end of the year.

The new hospital buildings will contain 116 single, en-suite bedrooms and will be set in landscaped gardens.