HOME Bargains has suprised staff and shoppers after announcing their stores will be closed on Boxing Day this year.

Usually known as one of the busiest shopping days of the year as many families hit the sales, bosses say they want their staff to be able to enjoy Boxing Day with their family and friends.

The news was announced on Twitter where the store also confirmed the extra day would not be deducted from employees' holiday entitlement.

Tom Morris, founder and managing director of Home Bargains, said:

He said: “Christmas is a significant period in the retail calendar, and with staff across the business spending months building up to the occasion every year, we wanted to give them an opportunity to relax and truly enjoy the break with their loved ones.

"Home Bargains is a family-run business and we know the importance of being with loved ones at Christmas time.

"We also appreciate that our staff work tirelessly to keep over 500 of our stores running like clockwork, so giving everyone Boxing Day off is our way of saying thank you for their hard work and commitment.

"We look forward to welcoming shoppers back through our doors on Thursday 27 December.”