STAFF at a Keighley building society have received an early Christmas present.

Yorkshire Building Society – which has a branch in Low Street, Keighley ­– is giving all its workers an extra day off, Christmas Eve.

The move is designed to thank the workforce for its efforts maintaining services during the pandemic.

As a result, branches and call centres will be closed for five days, with staff returning to work on Tuesday, December 29.

Mike Regnier, the society’s chief executive, said: “We wanted to do something that recognised the extraordinary year that all our colleagues have been through.

“I hope that by giving staff in Keighley and across the UK Christmas Eve off this year and providing an extended break to relax and spend time with family at home, it shows in part my immense gratitude to them.

“From the beginning, our response to Covid-19 has been to focus on the key priorities of keeping members in their homes, making sure their savings are secure and accessible and looking after our colleagues’ safety and wellbeing. Without the massive efforts of our colleagues, none of this would have been possible.

“We have kept as many branches open as we could throughout the pandemic.”