A local employer has been "named and shamed" alongside nearly 200 others for failing to pay their workers the minimum wage.

Hazelwood House, near Loddiswell, which ceased trading in recent years, underpaid three members of staff by £48,289 over three years between December 1, 2013, and April 30, 2016.

Ms Sarah Jane Bowman and Ms Anabel Garland Farnell-Watson are named in the list of nearly 200 employers released by the Government for not paying employees the National Minimum Wage.Ms Bowman and Ms Anabel Farnell-Watson have said there is more to the situation than underpaying staff, saying: "At a time of great distress when our main partner had recently been killed and Jane diagnosed with cancer, two volunteers came to support us in exchange for food and lodging."Therefore, under current legislation, they were effectively unpaid staff. They stayed of their own volition for two years."The third employee had a contract that excluded working overtime. However under temporary management, for a short time, she worked overtime and a small amount became due."The relevant amounts and our fine to HMRC have been paid. We consider the matter closed."

Commenting on this 14th round of naming and shaming, TUC South West Regional Secretary, Nigel Costley said: “Yet again, we’re seeing many employers, including household names, failing to pay their staff properly. The minimum wage has been around for nearly 20 years – there’s absolutely no excuse for not paying it.

“Employers who cheat their staff out of the minimum wage deserve to be named and shamed. And they will rightly face hefty financial penalties.

“Minimum wage dodgers must have nowhere to hide.”

As well as recovering backpay for 9,200 workers, the Government also fined the employers a total of £1.3 million in penalties for breaking national minimum wage laws. The most prolific offending sectors in this round were retailers, hospitality businesses and hairdressers.

It comes ahead of the next rate rise on 1 April, when the National Living Wage will go up from £7.50 to £7.83 per hour.

Later this month the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will launch a campaign to raise awareness of the new rates and encourage workers to speak to their employer if they think they are being underpaid.

Business Minister Andrew Griffiths said: "The world of work is changing and we have set out our plans to give millions of workers enhanced rights to ensure everyone is paid and treated fairly in the workplace.

"There are no excuses for short-changing workers. This is an absolute red line for this government and employers who cross it will get caught - not only are they forced to pay back every penny but they are also fined up to 200 per cent of wages owed.

"Today’s naming round serves as a sharp reminder to employers to get their house in order ahead of minimum wage rate rises on April 1."

Bryan Sanderson, chairman of the Low Pay Commission, said: "As the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates rise on April 1, it is vital that workers understand their rights, and employers their obligations.

"The Low Pay Commission is pleased to see the Government maintaining the momentum of its minimum wage enforcement.

"The recent announcement that all workers will have a right to payslips stating the hours they have worked – an idea originally proposed by the LPC – is a positive step."