THE majority of workers in East Lancashire are being given the option of enjoying the four-day bank holiday in June.

With June 5 being declared an additional bank holiday, in honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, tens of thousands of workers from the area are expected to join in the celebrations.

Many larger firms, councils and health bodies are honouring the additional bank holiday, while others will maintain skel-eton staffing levels.

Large firms, including Daisy in Nelson, BAE Systems in Samlesbury, Euravia in Kelbrook, and Rolls-Royce in Barnoldswick, said their staff would be given the day off.

Lancashire United bus company said its usual bank holiday service would be running, and every effort would be made to allow those staff wishing to take part in the celebrations to have the time off.

Aircelle, in Burnley, said staff would be given the option to have the day off, or get an extra day’s holiday.

Bosses at Thwaites, in Blackburn, said production would continue, but said all employees would receive an additional day off.

All councils in East Lancashire are expected to allow the vast majority of their workers to stay at home over the extended break.

They confirmed that essential services, such as bin collections, and street cleansing would continue as normal.

Bosses at East Lancashire Hospitals, which runs Blackburn and Burnley hospitals, said they had met with union officials.

Ian Brandwood, director of human resources and organisational development at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Following consultation with our trade unions, and in order to ensure our high standards of care for our patients are maintained, the trust has decided that Tuesday, June 5 will be treated as a normal working day.

“However, an additional day’s leave will be allowed for every member of staff in recognition of the additional holiday.”

Bosses have asked managers to be as flexible as possible for those staff requesting leave.

Brian Hobbs, of Burnley Chamber of Trade, said: “It’s a one-off bank holiday and there will be businesses for whom it will have a detrimental effect.

“But I feel the bank holiday should be embraced and celebrated by businesses in the area.

“It’s a celebration of something extremely historic which makes Britain what it is. If we can’t celebrate this monumental, and historic, day then there’s something wrong.”

GMB said larger firms. including Marks & Spencer and the Edinburgh Woollen Mill, were insisting staff work on the additional bank holiday.

Gary Smith, GMB national secretary for the retail sector, said: “Members working for many companies are very disappointed with the refusal of the companies to do what most employers in the UK are doing this jubilee day.

“We urge all these companies to look again at their position.

“GMB members would like the choice of having the jubilee day off or, if they do work, they should get paid premium time and another paid day off in lieu instead.”

A Marks & Spencer spokesperson said: “We’re still finalising our plans for the jubilee weekend and are working hard to ensure that we are well placed to serve our customers, remain in line with the market, and are able to offer our employees the chance to celebrate too.”