Some 1,370 employees of the Campbell Bewley Group yesterday received shares in the company which is expected to float on the stock market in the next few years.

The shares represent 5 per cent of the company's share capital and are valued at £2 million, which means the group is now worth £40 million. Details of the share offer were announced in June. Each eligible employee, regardless of position, received 41 shares which are estimated to have a value of £1,500.

There are 4,500 people employed in the group but only those employees who joined the company before January 1st, 1996 are eligible for the shares.