Three companies in the county have been 'named and shamed' by the government for failing to pay their lowest paid staff the minimum wage.

The Department for Business has named more than 200 employers nationwide who, it claims, were found to have left some 12,000 workers out of pocket to the tune of £1.2million.

In doing so, it adds, they have been in a "clear breach" of National Minimum Wage law.

Among those named is Rochester-based Centre Circle Event Management - a firm which specialises in providing security and stewards to live events such as football matches and festivals.

The government says it failed to pay £4,825 to 126 workers after HMRC carried out investigations between 2014 and 2019.

It said it was an "unfortunate administrative error" that was rectified as soon as they were alerted to it and all staff left out of pocket recompensed.

Also on the list was Pennypot Dental Practice Ltd. It has outlets in Ashford, Hythe, New Romney, Deal and Hawkinge. It was found to have failed to pay £2,793 to 15 workers - around £180 each. It told KOL that it was also due to an "administrative error" several years ago, staff were repaid and working practices changed to ensure no repeat.

On a smaller scale was Paulways Pet Resort, in Ashford. It failed to pay £516 to one worker.

The government says by publishing the names of the firms - which range from multinationals to independent sole traders, it sends "a clear message that no employer is exempt from paying their workers the statutory minimum wage".

All firms have since had to pay back what they owe to staff and also face significant financial penalties of up to 200% of what was owed, which are paid to the government.

Minister for Labour Markets, Paul Scully, said: "Today’s 208 businesses, whatever their size, should know better than to short-change hard-working employees, regardless of whether it was intentional or not.

"With Christmas fast approaching, it’s more important than ever that cash is not withheld from the pockets of workers. So don’t be a scrooge – pay your staff properly."

According to the Department for Business, 37% of those employers named took deductions which reduced minimum wage - such as workers being left out of pocket in order to comply with the dress code; 29% for failing to pay for mandatory training, trial shifts or travel time; 16% for failing to pay the correct rate to apprentices; and 11% for not increasing the National Minimum Wage in line with government rises or paying the wrong rate.

Bryan Sanderson, chair of the Low Pay Commission, said: "The minimum wage is a success story welcomed by employees and employers alike, but it only works if everyone without exception obeys the law. We hope this latest naming round can continue to raise awareness of the most common mistakes businesses make and help protect low-paid workers from unfair treatment."