A builders' merchant is to share £2.5million with its staff in a bid to help them with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

Selco Builders Warehouse, which has a branch in Rochester, says 96% of its 3,000-strong workforce will receive a payment of £750 each, spread over five months.

Bosses say the £150-a-month payments will help during an "unprecedented" period and come in direct response to rising energy bills, higher interest rates and soaring inflation.

The first payments will be made in November and run through until March.

Howard Luft, chief executive of the firm, which has a branch on the Medway City Estate, explained: "We are living through an unprecedented cost of living crisis and it’s placing pressure on household budgets, from energy to food and fuel to mortgages, up and down the country.

“Everyone in the business, apart from the most senior figures in management, will benefit from these payments which are structured in such a way that they can have a direct impact on the rising monthly bills during the winter months.

“We are hoping this will help our colleagues through the challenging economic times the country is facing and we will continue to investigate further opportunities to support our people through this period.”

The business is also offering staff free breakfasts, with locally sourced products.

The CEO added: “Our colleagues are undoubtedly the biggest asset of our business and we will continue to invest in them at every opportunity.”