A bizarre Government-funded campaign is being launched to encourage people to exercise while they’re waiting for a bus.

According to the campaign’s organisers, those minutes spent at the bus stop watching the traffic go by could be spent more usefully – by standing on one leg, pointing your toes or clenching your buttocks.

But the latest attempt to get Britain fit has been slammed by an MP as ‘a shocking waste of taxpayers’ money’.

And one angry passenger said last night: ‘Fares are ridiculously high as it is. So why don’t they use the money they’re spending on this nonsense to cut the cost of bus travel?’

Leaflets and posters setting out six Pilates-style exercise moves to do at the bus stop are being distributed to passengers travelling on buses between Blackburn and Manchester.

Workout: Two women try the exercises while they wait for the X41

Anyone concerned about looking ridiculous as they balance on one leg in the middle of the street are reassured that the exercises are ‘discreet’ and that ‘there will be others doing just the same all along the route’.

Part of the Every Stop Helps campaign, the leaflet tells passengers: ‘Healthy living is all about having a good diet and getting the right amount of physical exercise.

‘Make exercising on the X41 part of your everyday bus travel. The exercises are easy, fun to do and discreet!’

The campaign is part of a project funded by the Government’s Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Organisers claim it will help people with busy lives to fit exercise into their day and avoid health problems such as heart disease and obesity.

But Tory MP Philip Davies lashed out at the move. He asked: ‘Is this April 1st? The Government is virtually bankrupt and yet it is spending its last few pounds encouraging people to do Pilates at bus stops.

‘It is the nanny state gone completely mad and a shocking waste of taxpayers’ money.’

However, Les Lumsdon, director of the Institute of Transport and Tourism at the University of Central Lancashire, which is promoting the scheme, said: ‘The response from passengers has been very positive.

‘Many people have busy lives and struggle to fit regular work-outs into their day. We’re giving them the information needed so they can choose to add value to the time spent using public transport.

‘Eventually, we’d like to see Every Stop Helps extended to other bus routes and train journeys.’

And Russell Revill, managing director of the bus company Transdev, said: ‘We thought it was a good idea. Doing exercises while waiting for the bus is a good way to pass the time and beneficial to your health, too.’