MORE than 8,400 Hampshire staff of supermarket giant, Tesco, are celebrating a windfall of up to £3,000 each.

They are among 207,000 employees nationwide to scoop a share of a £98m bonus pot generated by the chain’s record annual results.

Tesco says all staff who had worked for them for at least a year by the end of February are eligible for “Shares in Success”, which offer 3.6 per cent of salary, up to a maximum of £3,000.

Tesco is Southampton’s biggest retailer and employs more than 3,000 people at 20 stores in and immediately around the city, including a major distribution depot in Nursling.

Tesco’s profits last year broke through the £3bn barrier, setting a new record for British retailers.

Stocks handed to staff under the bonus windfall will be held in trust for five years, after which they can sell them tax-free.

Tesco bosses also picked up £21m in pay and bonuses in the past financial year, according to the annual report.