MORE than 500 employees at the Toyota plant in Deeside will return to full-time working for the first time in a year on April 1.

The workforce has been operating at a 10% reduction in hours and pay since the start of the 2009-10 financial year as the company’s sales slumped during the economic downturn.

But Toyota announced yesterday that staff at Deeside Industrial Park and Burnaston, Derbyshire, will return to full-time hours next month.

A decision had been taken to freeze salary levels in 2010.

But the company said all employees would receive an extra five days paid holiday from April 5-9 and one additional day to be taken at any time.

Tony Walker, deputy managing director of Toyota, said: “The next year is key for Toyota Manufacturing UK.

“Employees returning to full-time working and offering a voluntary release programme will allow us to adapt to the reduced market.

“We believe this decision will be welcomed by our employees, who have shown flexibility and commitment to the company during a difficult time.”

Toyota will offer a voluntary release programme in the second half of the year to employees who want to pursue other opportunities.

About 750 jobs are to go across the car giant’s sites in Derbyshire and Deeside, but it is hoped there will be no compulsory redundancies.