Food retailer Budgens is using a biometric system to avoid staff clocking in absent colleagues on their behalf.

The fingerprinting software is currently being trialled in six franchised stores and there are plans to extend the scheme to a further 20 stores.

"Like most organisations, we knew we had a problem with 'buddy punching' but we had no way to prove it," said Budgens franchisee Utpal Patel.

Two of Patel’s franchised stores are involved in the pilot and are expected to save £10,000 a year by avoiding payroll losses related to staff inappropriately entering time for each other.

"With the biometric technology we are able to ensure we are getting work for the hours we are paying and that our budget money is being spent on investment in the stores," said Patel.

The system was provided by supplier Nivid.