THE men at Lancashire pizza makers Schwan Europe have more reason than most to celebrate Father's Day next Sunday.

The company, the UK's largest manufacturer of frozen pizzas such as Chicago Town Pizza and Freschetti, is allowing expectant fathers paid paternity leave.

From this month, the company will allow fathers of new-born babies five days' paid leave which they can take any time during the first four weeks after the child's birth.

Gary Rae, Schwan's human resources director, said the company recognised that having a baby was a special experience for both parents.

"We feel it is something they should be able to share, rather than the father having to worry about going back to work immediately after being able to spend just a few hours with his new son or daughter," he said.

"Some bodies within the business world would actually claim that parental leave of any form can be damaging to productivity, but this kind of attitude has no home in any successful twenty-first century organisation.

"We believe that staff have a right to be with their families without having to worry about losing pay or thinking that by taking time off they are going to be seen to be lacking commitment."