A DAY off for your birthday, a cycle-to-work scheme, discounted gym membership...

It all sounds like relatively standard benefits for a job.

But while offering these things, one Somerset firm is also offering FREE CHEESE and free electric vehicle charging to employees.

Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and producer of renewable energy, has unveiled details of their new enhanced benefits package available to employees.

The Bruton-based firm will be offering all employees an enhanced benefits package effective from this month, including the free cheese.

The list of employee benefits has been updated in response to the ongoing nationwide shortage of job candidates and now includes: 28 days annual leave pro rata (including English Bank Holidays), an additional day of leave on your birthday, annual leave allowance increases one day each year to a maximum of 33, life assurance benefit x2 salary, pension contributions matched up to 5%, discounts in popular high street retailers, annual bonus, vintage Reserve Cheddar for Christmas, cycle to work scheme, discounted gym membership, wholesale discount on cheese and butter, referral scheme for new starters of £1,000, free tea and coffee in breaks, free electrical car charging, career progression, development and training.

Many generations of the same family can be found at Wyke Farms; 15% of the Wyke Farms work force also have a relative working in the business and over one third of employees (34%) have been with the company for over 10 years.

Rich Clothier, managing director and third generation family member at Wyke Farms, said: “We are witnessing the effects of Brexit, global post lockdown supply chain issues and skills shortages across the board.

"We have unusually high staff retention rates and many family members work together across our business but finding new talent to join us has become challenging.”

Wyke Farms’ cheese and butter is made with the milk from their cows grazing the lush pastures of the Mendip Hills in the centre of the Cheddar making region in Somerset.

The firm's branded products are available in selected Lidl stores and in Southwest UK ASDA and Tesco stores.