A businessman is the toast of his staff after jetting them off to Amsterdam to reward them for their hard work.

And for the staff at Specsavers Opticians in Idle, Bradford, it wasn't the first time boss Bhrat Phakey had decided to give his staff a free break.

The team have already had a trip to Barcelona and two jaunts to Madrid - and could be heading on a mini-cruise later this year.

Mr Phakey, who also owns two Specsaver franchises in Kirkstall and Cross Hills in Leeds, said he believed the trips were great motivation for his staff at the Five Land Ends store and helped them bond as a team.

"I think it's really important that I recognise the hard work that my staff do and I make sure they are valued as individuals, as well as part of a successful team," Mr Phakey said. "It's also good that they get a chance to spend time with each other outside of work where they can unwind.

"They come back full of beans and the customers then enjoy the benefits.'

But it was a tough choice about who would stay behind to keep the shop ticking over.

Mr Phakey said: "We had a ballot because the store still had to be manned and eight were the lucky ones to go. Their names were drawn out of a hat - that seemed the most democratic way to do it.

"Its great team-building - we get to meet and gel out of work in a totally different environment with no pressure."

And the workers were delighted at the offer. Tony Walsh, dispensing optician at the Idle store, said he had never come across it before.

"It works wonders for morale and for someone to take the staff away and pay for it as well is great," he said. "We all think he is a very kind man," Mr Walsh said.

And there might be more to come - as the shop gears up to celebrate 15 years in Idle at the end of the summer. "I'll probably take them on a small mini-cruise - somewhere like Denmark."