Insurance giant Aviva has introduced a car-share scheme in a bid to improve Norwich's air quality and save staff money.

Already 250 employees in the city have signed up to the scheme, which links workers up so that they can chip in for each other's petrol costs or alternate driving duties.

Participants are issued with a car-share permit, allowing them to park their cars in designated spaces close to their office.

Aviva said it hoped to reduce car traffic in the city, reduce demand for parking spaces and cut commuting costs for staff.

Earlier this year Norwich was named as one of 32 UK cities found to be at, or exceeding, pollution limits set by the World Health Organisation.

Across the UK, more than 400 employees are already signed up to the programme and over 180 car-sharing groups are currently active. Caitlyn Winsor-Gray, a user of the scheme, said: 'Car share is so easy. It enables you to cut the car parking list queue, save some money and have some company while driving to work. Why wouldn't you sign up? I've been able to meet people I otherwise wouldn't have known through my day-to-day work. It certainly makes the morning commute go by a little quicker when you have someone to talk to! And it's great to know that I'm doing my bit for the environment too.'

Matthew Deakin, UK environment manager for Aviva, said: 'A staggering two-thirds of all UK car journeys are under just five miles and in the case of commuter journeys, there are hundreds of people making very similar journeys at similar times. This can lead to chaos on the roads, not to mention the impact on pollution, so we're really pleased we've had such a positive response to our car-share scheme.

'We'd like to encourage everyone to think about the way they travel, and consider whether they can make changes to help manage pollution in their region. Whether it be by car-share, public transport, bike or even on foot, there are lots of ways people can help to cut down on emissions into the air.'

Aviva has also introduced electric vehicle charging points at eight UK locations and moved 30% of its car fleet to hybrid vehicles.

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