Britons challenged to walk around the world this national Walk to Work Week (26-30 April).

Britons grounded by volcanic ash are being urged to walk instead, with a virtual challenge to walk around the Equator.

As part of national Walk to Work Week, people are being encouraged to take to the streets and register their miles (for free) on a special website, which will record how far the nation gets to a walking around the Equator.Businesses, organisations and individuals across the country can take part in national Walk to Work Week (26 - 30 April) with the aim of totting up nearly 25,000 miles, the distance around the equator.

National charity Living Streets runs the Walking Works Campaign, which is funded by the Big Lottery Fund to highlight the role that walking can play in bringing much needed activity into our daily lives. Walk to Work Week is an annual reminder that walking all or part of the commute is fun, green and healthy and can be slotted in to even the busiest lives.

With many businesses and individuals already signed up to take part, Living Streets is keen to encourage more workplaces to get involved to get the nation walking. Latest figures show that 61% of us are currently overweight or obese and a fifth of people exercise once a month or less. By walking all or part of the journey to or from work, or even by talking a stroll at lunchtime, we can increase our fitness levels and easily reach the target of 30 minutes of exercise a day as recommended by the Chief Medical Officer.

During Walk to Work Week , Living Streets are asking people to log in to a microsite www.walkingworks.org.uk/walk-to-work-week which keeps a record of individual walking achievements as well as whole organisations. Step counters will then show how far they've contributed to the Equator walk as well as individual goals of walking laps of Wembley Stadium and a business challenge of walking from Lands End to John O'Groats. Twitter fans can automatically update twitters feed with walking stats. Throughout the week registered users will be set five walking challenges to help motivate kick start some friendly competition. These include:

- Walking to work
- Walking from work
- Walking to a meeting
- Taking a walking meeting
- Walking during your lunch break

In addition to reporting on miles walked, the website demonstrates how much CO2 has been saved by walking and how many calories have been burned.

Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Living Streets said:

'The Walk to Work Week microsite is a brilliant way for you to see your walking achievements. We've set the goal of collectively walking the distance around the equator, but I'm sure that this year we will smash that target!

'Walking is free, green and easy, and walking all or part of the journey to work, or even walking more during the working day, is an excellent way to get more exercise into your daily routine. The impact of walking more can be huge, not only for your health, but to give you time to plan the day ahead, or to unwind after it, we are urging everyone to give it a go!'

You can register to take part in this free event by logging on to www.walkingworks.org.uk/walk-to-work-week