Staff at Wilkin and Sons are on their way to becoming majority shareholders in the world-famous firm.

Bosses at the Tiptree jam-makers have spread a little happiness among workers and set up an Employee Beneficial Trust.

It was formed ten years ago as chairman Peter Wilkin, 58, has no direct heirs and will give employees a say in their future.

The aim is to ensure Wilkin and Sons - founded in 1885 by Mr Wilkin's great grandfather - is never taken over by a profit-hungry firm or broken up.

The company has been buying back shares to donate to the trust since 1989, and the workers now own around one third.

Sales director Ian Thurgood said: "The majority shareholders will eventually have a say in how the business is run.

"Employees will also get money if Wilkin and Sons is ever sold."

The company currently employs 170 people and although Mr Wilkin has no intention of retiring yet, he wants to safeguard his workers' futures.

Wilkin and Sons makes 86 different types of jam - including organic - at the luxury end of the market and has invested £500,000 in the Tiptree factory over the past two years.

Its products have also adorned Royal dinner tables since the reign of George V and 1998 was a record-breaking year, in terms of turnover.

Mr Thurgood added: "The company is looking pretty good at the moment and the employees are very happy about what is going on.

"It would also be hard for us to imagine being somewhere else."

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