STAFF at a Burnham hotel will be using pedal power to get into work from now on thanks to a council grant.

The Royal Clarence Hotel on the Esplanade has bought eight bikes for its workers after being given £800 from Sedgemoor District Council’s Community Health Fund budget.

Paul Chatwin, manager of the hotel, said: “I’d like to say how honoured the Royal Clarence Hotel are to be awarded grant funding from the Sedgemoor Community Health Fund budget.

“The £800 award, added to our own contribution of £400, has enabled us to purchase eight bicycles for our staff, together with suitable safety gear.

“Rather than continue to use their car or a taxi to get to and from work, they have committed to using their bicycles.

“This will, over the coming months, lead to a more healthy lifestyle when staff begin using their bikes socially as well as to commute.

“An added bonus is the lower pollution from abandoning their car transport, plus some extra parking spaces freed up around the town.”

The grant was donated as part of a pot of £10,000 which was spread across businesses and organisations in Sedgemoor to improve the health and fitness of its residents.

Groups and businesses were asked to apply for the grants earlier in the year to go towards physical activity, healthy eating or weight management.

A Sedgemoor spokeswoman said: “Sedgemoor District Council is delighted to have awarded over £10,000 to ten local health-related projects across the district including the £800 awarded to The Royal Clarence Hotel staff cycle scheme.

“Sedgemoor is committed to working with partner organisations, businesses and community groups to help our communities live a healthy lifestyle.

“You can find out more about Sedgemoor’s Grants programme by visiting www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/grants.”