Workers in Cumbria are being urged to take simple steps to ensure they receive the new National Living Wage.

A minimum rate of pay of £7.20 an hour for those aged over-25s comes into force on Friday of next week.

But research carried out for the Step up Britain campaign suggests that 41 per cent of employees in the north west never check their payslips.

It advises people to visit www.livingwage.gov.uk to see if they are eligible, use the online calculator to find out how much extra they should be paid, then check their payslip after April 1 to ensure they get it.

Those who do not receive at least the minimum should speak to their employer or turn to the conciliation service Acas for advice.

Stewart Gee, head of information and guidance at Acas, said: "Eligible workers should check what they are entitled to under these new changes and employers need to ensure that they are ready too.

"We are running a series of training events over the next few months to help organisations prepare for the new wage rates."

The Government launched the Step Up For Britain campaign in January to highlight the introduction of the National Living Wage.

More than 1m workers are set to directly benefit from the increase. Many on a full-time wage will see pay packets rise by up to £900 a year.

Details of Acas' training events for employers are online at www.acas.org.uk/nlwtraining.