A Worcester business is to give its employees £1,000 in time for Christmas to help with the cost of living.

Gtech, known for producing vacuums and gardening equipment, will provide a one-off payment to all of the staff at its headquarters in the city.

A total of 162 employees will enjoy the payment, which comes as the UK rate of inflation hit a 40-year high of 11.1 per cent.

Gtech’s CEO Nick Grey, who was born in Worcestershire, said: “If there is one time of year that people need a bit of extra help, it’s before Christmas.

“I was one of seven children and I know how difficult it can be to make ends meet so we want to give our workforce as much help as we can.”

Gtech is the latest in a number of businesses aiming to help staff with rising costs of living, including Nationwide, Virgin Money, and BT.

The £1,000 payment will be pro-rate for those working part-time or those still in their first year of employment.