IF THE air is a little fresher in Hampshire, then thank the green travel team from DIY giant B&Q.

They are responsible for a drive to encourage the 1,600 employees at the company's split-site headquarters in Chandler's Ford to travel to work in a more environmentally-friendly way.

Many of the staff, including those at B&Q depots throughout south-west Hampshire, have taken the advice of in-house B&Q Travel

Plans by using trains or bicycles, or sharing cars.

The initiative has landed the team with the Association for Commuter Transport's commuter initiative award for marketing.

Trudi Fisher, Travel Plans adviser, said: "This award recognises that B&Q has given Travel Plans a new, fun approach."

The team launched an intranet site and offer incentives like free pedom-eters, cycle training and personal alarms.