MORE than 2,000 women workers have received equal pay compensation from Bolton Council.

The equal pay settlements are being offered to workers, such as dinner ladies and lollipop ladies, who have not been paid bonuses enjoyed by men in jobs on the same pay grade, such as those employed in refuse collection.

Ninety-eight per cent of those eligible have now been awarded cheques of up to £8,000, costing council chiefs more than £7 million in total.

More than £1.5 million was shared among 386 employees in the latest pay-out session, on March 7.

A total of 2,159 women have now benefited.

A final signing session is planned for April for the remaining few who have not yet received their cheques.

Cllr Frank White, Bolton Council's executive member for human resources, said: "Our deal has been a cheque in your hand without having to perhaps engage lawyers and possibly wait a couple of years for your case to come before the tribunal.

"At the back of it, of course, was the very real possibility that the claimant may not have won their case whereas the compensation offer is a no fuss option."