Fifty Morrisons employees joined forces to cycle the equivalent of the first two stages of the Tour de France at the supermarket giant’s headquarters.

The cyclathon – one of three being held by the company before June 12 – was held at Hilmore House in Gain Lane in aid of the Sue Ryder charity.

It was organised by Jonathan Daniel, who runs physiotherapy firm FitBack, as part of the national Work Out at Work Day.

Mr Daniel said: “It was a great event. Fifty employees have cycled the majority of the first two stages of the Tour – it’s been great!”

He added: “We are keeping the total distance quiet at the moment as the other sites will be phoning in their total distances after the event.”

The first two stages of the Tour have a combined total of 242 miles. The winning cyclathon will be the most miles cycled in six hours.

Mr Daniel added: “I came up with the idea as part of the Work Out at Work Day. Physiotherapists are concerned that people are putting themselves at risk of developing a health problem such as back or neck pain as a result of poor work habits and not getting enough exercise during the week.”