Northern Ireland-based Financial Planner AKFP's staff will once again work remotely for the whole of this month.

Seen as part of the firm's commitment to flexible working the firm has been doing the initiative for the last two years.

Staff will be swapping their desks for deckchairs as they work from home or other remote locations.

A statement issued on behalf of the team at AKFP read: “It’s that time of the year again where we close the office, pack up our laptops and phones and work from the comfort of, well, wherever.

Last year the most popular remote working choice was a deckchair in the garden, sun shining and an ice cold drink in hand.

“This is the third year of our remote working initiative and we are excited to leave the commute behind for a whole month and spend more quality time with our families.”

It added: “The initiative has proved hugely successful over the past two years and we have no doubt that it will be as equally successful this year.

“Our love of technology allows us to provide a seamless service to our clients from wherever we choose, and service delivery standards remain unchanged.

“Remote working is on the rise across many sectors with employees who work remotely often outperforming those who are office based and we are proud to have been pioneers of this movement.

“The majority of the team have young children and we all know that school holidays can often mean childcare worries and extra expense so the flexibility to be at home alleviates some of those stresses.

“As a company that encourages a healthy work life balance, we ensure we practice what we preach to our clients.”