THE borough’s biggest private employer is helping staff fight the credit crunch by spreading some summer cheer.

Phone firm O2 has pledged to pay towards summer days out for their 1,200 staff who work at its call centre in Dumers Lane, Bury.

It follows the release of research done by 02 which found 32 per cent of Brits will shun a foreign trip this year to save money.

02 has given employees access to a website that gives them discounts of up to 75 per cent off music concert tickets, sporting event passes, designer clothes, food, wine and barbecue equipment.

Colin Watt, head of reward at O2, said: “We can’t make the sun shine, but we can stay in touch with needs and concerns of our employees and connect them to the things that matter to them.

“We constantly evaluate the pressures and challenges that our employees face to create benefits and rewards for them”