UNITED Utilities staff in East Lancashire can enjoy more time off and new home computers after an employee benefits scheme was introduced this week.

Workers at the company's water, wastewater and electricity centres may choose from extra holidays, medical or life insurance, rented PCs or childcare vouchers in a package only previously available to senior managers.

United Utilities employs around 300 staff in East Lancashire, including those at the water treatment centres in Fishmoor, Blackburn and Worsthorne, Burnley.