Two staff members at Hays Travel won’t have to worry about paying their mortgage or bills until March next year after winning a company prize draw.

Legal Executive Lynne Browne and Washington branch Travel Consultant Sandra Taylor are the latest winners in the Big Hays Travel Thank You, which is offering big-value rewards in recognition of employees’ hard work.

The latest reward was six months’ rent or mortgage plus all bills paid.

Hays Chair Dame Irene Hays (pictured with Lynne) said the company decided to pay two people’s bills as a celebration of last month’s high sales, with 1,287 retail staff achieving their August targets.

Dame Irene said: “August had been such an exceptional month so the decision had been made to surprise two people, not just one.”

Lynne who has been in the legal team for Hays Travel for 18 months, said: “I burst into tears when my name was announced.

“It was lovely to see all my colleague’s reaction as well, they are all so happy for me.”

Sandra (pictured with Chief Operating Officer Jonathon Woodall-Johnston) said: “I am absolutely overwhelmed.

“Of the 40 years I have worked in travel this is the biggest prize I have ever won.

“My husband can’t complain about me putting the heating on now!”

The celebrate August’s high sales, all retail staff who achieved their target will share an additional payment of nearly £300,000 for the month.

Previous winners in the Big Hays Travel Thank You have included Richard Farmer from the Wombwell branch, who won a brand new car, and Rachel Lovstad from the recruitment team who won a cruise of her choice worth up to £5,000.

The next Big Hays Travel Thank You prize will be a four-night stay in New York with £1,000 spending money.