There may be important issues for MPs to discuss this week, but uppermost in Helston's MP Andrew George when he returned to the Commons on Tuesday was the fact he had notched up over 600 miles on his pushbike during the Parliamentary recess, including regular journeys between his home in Hayle and his office in Penzance.

Mr George says that he prefers to use a bike on relatively short journeys of less than 20 miles where speed is not essential and the state of his dress is not an issue!

"There were some times during the summer months when it was quicker to cycle along some of the main roads than to take the car, even at my snail's pace. I prefer to advise people to "do as I do rather than as I say," he said.

"In a rural constituency like this one as a family, we try hard to exist with just the one car, despite now having 4 adults of driving age in the family.

"Cycling certainly helps with fitness and gives me a chance to test some of the new road layouts from a safe cycling perspective," said Mr George who today was getting down to more serious issues such as the economy.