A surfer has ditched crowded Tubes and buses and started commuting to work by board.

Andy White decided to make the twohour paddle (there are no waves of course) along the Thames from his home in Putney to Moorgate every morning to keep fit.

Mr White, originally from Newquay, is now backing a scheme to encourage more office workers to use London's outdoor spaces during their working day.

The 32-year-old started commuting on a 14ft surfboard three months ago when he moved to the capital.

He sets off from Putney pier at 5.30am, paddles five miles to Vauxhall Bridge, where he puts his board in the garage of a friend's house, showers and changes. He then walks to his job as manager of an office refurbishment company. He reverses the process on his way home.

He times his commute to coincide with the tide - his journey can be up to an hour shorter if he can use the flow of the water.

Mr White said: "When I moved to London I thought I wouldn't be able to surf. This is the perfect solution. I phoned the Thames coastguard to get permission and they said yes. I'm not missing the sea as much as I thought and my strength has improved. The river is stunning when the sun comes up."

When Mr White made his first trip on the Thames a member of the public phoned the police thinking he had fallen in. He said: "Two policewomen were on the side of the river whistling at me to see if I was all right."

He is now a familiar sight and has tempted friend Ed Haynes, 32, a building contractor, to join him for the morning paddle. The pair are training for a sponsored trip across the Channel to raise money for a breast cancer charity. Mr White said: "We wanted to do it because both our mothers have had breast cancer."

They are also supporting a Visit London campaign to improve people's health by making the most of its parks and gardens. The organisation is setting up an office in St James's Park from today.

Chief executive James Bidwell, said: "There are hundreds of green spaces in the capital, but Londoners often spend too long in the office to get out and enjoy them."

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