Asda has revealed that its staff are to share a £43m payout, the largest ever share scheme payout from the grocer.

Over 16,500 Asda employees will receive a 150 per cent return on their monthly investments.

It is the largest payout by the grocer since US retail giant Wal-Mart bought Asda in 1999. Savers will also benefit from the strength of the dollar against the pound.

The Sharesave plan was created in 1982, enabling Asda employees to take a stake in the company and benefit from its success.

Shareholders who saved the maximum of £250 a month for the last three years will get around £13,800 - more than £4,500 above their original £9,000 investment.

The option price was set at £20.80 in 2006 and the Wal-Mart share price was £30.76 yesterday, meaning the average Asda colleague investing in the scheme will receive a payout of £2,737.

Asda people director Caroline Massingham said: “Over 200,000 colleagues have already benefited from Asda Sharesave but this year marks our biggest ever payout since we were taken over by Wal-Mart in 1999. Our colleagues drive the success of this business and Sharesave ensures they also reap the rewards.”