Staff at Kinnertons chocolate factory, in Fakenham, completed 182km on a pair of static bikes in a corner of the canteen, riding an eighth of the length of the Tour of Britain course.

The company, which employs 650 people in Fakenham, is one of eight workplaces which signed up for the challenge set by Active Norfolk.

HR adviser Lucy Egleton-Dagg, who rode 15km in two separate stints in the saddle, said: 'We're trying to get health and wellbeing into the workplace. We had a health and wellbeing week in April, which Active Norfolk helped us with, and we've been getting the newsletters.

'A healthy workforce is a happier workforce and a more productive workforce, and it builds morale in departments.'

Workers taking part came from the factory floor, different offices and management.

Marina Moutinho, 32, who works in the art department, was one of 32 taking part. She said: 'It was alright – it was bearable.'

Colleague Rebecca Ford, 38, added: 'It wasn't too bad, but it was a little bit warm.'

Other healthy initiatives under way at Kinnertons include lunchtime walks around Fakenham on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A health trainer also visits the factory to help staff who want to lose weight or give up smoking.

Workers have also signed up for Active Norfolk's workplace challenge, where cyclists can log their miles and compete with those from other companies and organisations around the county.

For more information, go online to http://www.workplacechallenge.org.uk/activenorfolk/