RICHARD Taylor has been wearing a pedometer to count his every step for the past week as part of a study of the fitness of MPs, whose place of work is full of smoke-filled bars, cafes and restaurants.

His challenge, set by health and fitness experts, is to complete at least 10,000 steps every day for seven days.

Tallies have had to be submitted by e-mail every evening to Move4Health, a non-profit organisation that promotes the health benefits of physical activity.

And the final results will be published on Monday evening on the website Move4Health.org.uk.

Dr Taylor, who is taking part because he's a member of the health select committee, has been offered some tips.

These included: using stairs to go to a lavatory on a different floor, getting off a bus or Tube at an earlier stop and walking to the Commons, walking to a friend or colleague's office rather than using e-mail, and even leaving the mobile phone in another room so you have to get up and answer it.

The early indications for Dr Taylor - the oldest of the MPs elected in 2001 and the 17th overall - are good.

He said: "My office is exactly a quarter of a mile from the division lobbies (where MPs go to vote) and the most steps I have taken is 16,500."

This translates to an impressive 7.8 miles.

His colleagues on the committee fear the worst, however.

Simon Burns, a Tory health spokesman, said: "I am terrified. The fact that we have to e-mail the figures in every day means people will know how unfit we are. Having to walk to and from work fills me with horror."

The trial is part of the committee's investigation into obesity, a problem its chairman David Hinchliffe believes will become more serious than smoking within 20 years.

Mr Hinchliffe, a former rugby league player, added that the trial would not prejudice his committee's report.

Dr Taylor reckons the answer is not as simple as telling people to either exercise or drink less cola or eat fewer crisps.

The solution is a combination of the two, regardless of what the food lobby might protest.