HONDA workers feeling the financial pinch are being offered a helping hand by a golf club.

On Friday the South Marston facility closed down its factory for four months as part of a cost-cutting exercise.

Although Honda workers will be paid throughout the time they are not at work, it will not be at full rates all the time.

Because of that the Wiltshire Golf and Country Club at Wootton Bassett is offering Honda workers cut price rates for food, golf and use of the facilities.

“It’s pretty tough out there and I know it,” said Eddy Shah, the proprietor of the club.

“It’s not the first recession I’ve had to work through and it can be quite depressing.

“I’ve had to make a dozen people redundant here so I thought if I could help Honda’s workers through their four-month shutdown I would.

“As a result we have special menus and special rates for Honda workers to use the facilities, including the golf, at the Wiltshire.

“Honda is one of the largest employers in the area and they make damn good cars.

“If I can help just a little, then all well and good.”

Sam Tipper, from the corporate communications department at South Marston, said the offer had been a generous one from Mr Shah.

“The fact that we have 2,500 associates away from the factory is not a pleasant one,” he said. “Mr Shah’s offer has been well received and we have had other offers of help from a number of companies in the area.”

Fighting his own credit crunch battle Mr Shah has had to do a number of deals to keep his business going – including not paying himself until things get better.

He said: “We have 400 members, including 80 who are juniors, and now we are giving them the benefit of the sports facilities as well as the golf. That works out at £18 per week for unlimited golf and unlimited use of the leisure facilities.”

Mr Shah has 44 homes on the Wiltshire club site of which more than 20 are up for sale at around £160,000 each, and which will be used for holiday lettings this year.

“We managed to sell three last week which is quite surprising because we haven’t sold any for some months.

“This is a strange period we are in at the moment and the sooner we are out of it, the better.”