B&M staff are to receive an extra week's wages as recognition for their efforts over Christmas during the "exceptional challenges" of the coronavirus pandemic.

Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has welcomed the move by the discount big brand retailer to reward its 30,000 workers.

B&M has three stores in Chester and one in Ellesmere Port.

The union is also calling for retail staff to be bumped up the queue when it comes to the Covid-19 vaccine due to the risks they face doing their job.

Dave Gill, Usdaw National Officer, said: “It’s been a tough time for retail staff, so we are pleased to have secured this bonus for our members in B&M.

"They are providing an essential service, that we all rely on, and they deserve our support, respect and appreciation. So we very much welcome B&M’s recognition of the work their staff are doing in these difficult times.

“We continue to call on the company to revisit the support provided for extremely vulnerable colleagues and are always working to improve health and safety.

"Retail staff are dealing with the public every day and are not only suffering increased abuse, but are also deeply worried about catching Covid-19.

“That must be taken into account by the Government when assessing risk levels and priority for vaccines and testing. So we are calling on the Government to ensure that retail workers are given priority, because they provide the essential service of keeping the nation fed.

“Usdaw also urges the shopping public to follow the necessary hygiene and social distancing rules to help make shops as safe as possible for customers and staff alike.”

The bonus comes as founder and chief executive of B&M Bargains handed himself another massive payout of £30 million after Christmas sales soared.

Simon Arora revealed a new special dividend of 20p-a-share would be handed out to shareholders.

The boss and his family are the biggest shareholders in the business, meaning he will pay himself £30 million, in addition to a £44 million dividend payout revealed two months ago.