MILITARY reservists at Amazon in Bolton will get an extra two weeks paid leave as part of the firm's Armed Forces Covenant commitments.

The fortnight, for Territorial Army recruits and others, is on top of their annual leave, is designed to allow for training requirements.

A number of ex-military men and women are on the books at the Middlebrook site, including Thabani Nyoni, who served in various Army roles for eight years for the Royal Mechanical and Electrical Engineers (REME).

The 36-year-old joined the company as part of their Military Leaders Programme, after being given useful feedback from some of his former comrades.

Thabani said: "I was really impressed with the range of benefits offered to veterans and reservists.

"There is definitely a strong network of people from military backgrounds at Amazon.

"We even have a support group – Warriors@Amazon – which is comprised of veterans that welcome new employees to the company."

He is now a reservist in his former regiment, rising to the post of second-in-command for his company, and has recently been tasked with organising an Army-wide skills competition.

Paul Ashraf, general manager at Amazon in Bolton. said: "Fulfilment is at the heart of the Amazon experience. We deliver millions of products to hundreds of countries worldwide.

"Our teams possess a wide range of skills and expertise, from business analysis and inventory management to engineering. We are thrilled to offer talented veterans the opportunity to launch into exciting post-military careers with limitless possibilities."

Gillian Russell, a retired Royal Navy officer, who runs the company's military programme, said Amazon were always on the lookout for former services personnel.

She added: "As a company that employs many former military personnel, we understand how important it is for people to find fulfilling jobs after they leave the services."