SOUTHAMPTON residents and commuters are being urged to do their bit for the city's air quality by leaving their car at home.

My Journey Commuter Challenge is running across the county this month encouraging people to save time and money and boost their health, with prizes being offered for residents who go above and beyond.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, The UK's highest court ordered Southampton to tackle air quality problems after shock figures showed the percentage of adult deaths due to pollution in 2011 was 6.3 per cent.

Southampton City Councillor Eamonn Keogh said: "The scheme contributes to single occupancy car journeys, it contributes to health benefits in the city, and reduces the likelihood that people may suffer serious diseases later in life.

"The EU has said that Southampton has poor air quality and this is part of trying to encourage people to use modes of transport other than the car.

"It's about doing anything that means you are not behind the wheel and you are not driving to work."

Last year more than 9,000 single-occupant rides were replaced by sustainable journeys, which organisers say is the equivalent of £45,872 or 37,692kg of carbon dioxide.

In total 35,936 active or sustainable were made during the month, covering 313,370 miles, and 43 per cent of those taking part increased the number of days they cycled to work.

Additionally 38 per cent of commuters said they increased the amount of days they got to work on foot.

The city's traffic problems have been well documented, particularly huge gridlocks that occurred in the months that work was being carried out on the Northam Bridge.

And there are 10 air quality management areas in the city where nitrogen dioxide emissions are at their worst, including Town Quay, Millbrook, and Bevois Valley Road.

The My Journey Commuter Challenge kicked off on May 1 but companies are still able to sign up and any non-car journeys can be logged and backdated to ensure no-one is left behind.

For more information and to sign up your company to take part, visit myjourneyhampshire.com/challenge.