Eastbourne Borough Council workers could be given access to a fleet of special electric cars in a bid to clean up their act.

Officials want to secure government funding to buy the electric pool cars for staff.

It is one idea proposed in the council's extensive green travel plan, which is set for approval this week.

Officers have realised their need to be setting an example to council taxpayers about protecting the environment.

Other suggestions include setting up a car share club, with every employee who registers receiving a free coffee mug.

Employees will be encouraged to link up with colleagues who live nearby to cut the number of cars travelling to work.

Cycling and walking will also be encouraged under the plan, with secure bike parking, changing facilities and a relaxed dress code introduced.

Interest-free loans will continue to be provided, while the council will also try to negotiate deals for cut-price bicycles.

Council bosses insist they are not being anti-car but merely asking employees to be prudent with their car use.

They say a range of incentives will be given to people who take up the car share plan, including parking privileges.

Council officials predict long-term savings of £520,000 through the green travel plan, which will be discussed by the council's cabinet on Thursday.

Environmental co-ordinator Elliott Cairnes said: "The recommendations involve change and it is important staff don't feel threatened by these changes.

"The travel plan is not anti-car, nor does it set out to ban cars. Rather it seeks to encourage council employees to use their cars more wisely."

A survey showed more than 70 per cent of council staff travelled to work by car, despite 74 per cent of them living in the Eastbourne area.

Some 19 per cent of car users said they only used their cars to travel to work, while 77 per cent of business car users said they never shared their cars with anyone else.

Many said they rejected public transport because of time and flexibility concerns.

The green travel plan has been drafted following studies predicting journey times on the busiest roads would lengthen by 70 per cent in 20 years time.