By Tom Barton

15 Aug, 2002

Page 8

WORKERS at B and Q stores in North Wales were celebrating yesterday after receiving thousands of pounds in bonuses.

The cash is awarded in line with the company's profit, and staff have received an 8.25pc bonus in their pay packets - more than pounds 1,000 for a customer adviser on the average salary of pounds 12,500.

Tracy Roberts, who has worked at the B and Q store in Bangor for three-and-a -half years, said yesterday that she was delighted at the news.

'The money will pay for part of my holiday to Majorca next year,' she said.

'We just come in and do our job at the end of the day, and it's really nice to get something like this.

'As long as we keep wastage down to a minimum and are careful to keep an eye out for thieves, this can help to boost the profit,' added the 19-year-old, who works in the store's gardening department.

B and Q employ around 30,000 people in 320 stores around Britain, and everyone who has worked for them for at least six months will receive this bonus, after the store increased its profit to pounds 300m last year.

Human resources director Mike Cutt said: 'People are the key to B and Q's success.

'We want to share incentives across the company so that every one of our employees' hard work is recognised as contributing to the company's success.'

He added: 'It's great to think that people can do something extra special like go on holiday or buy themselves or someone else a present.'