BIG-HEARTED bosses are helping ex-employees keep warm during the cold spell.

Wolstenholme Rink has sent retired workers £40 each to help pay for extra heating costs - almost four times the Government's cold weather payment.

"We felt that a gesture such as this would in many cases remove a huge worry and let those people know they won't have to make cutbacks all year to pay for a bit of extra heating now," explained joint chairman of the Darwen based firm Tony Rink.

"The money to fund the payments has been provided from the welfare fund and is a kind of thank we can make to ex-employees many of whom have given many years loyal service to the company."

The £40 payment has been made to more than 130 retired staff from all of Wolstenholme Rink Group companies including Wolstenholme International in Darwen and Openshaw Ltd of Todmorden.

Kevin Durkin of Age Concern in Blackburn today praised the scheme saying: "It is a very nice gesture and £40 is the kind of figure that will give people the security to turn their heating up a bit when it's cold."

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