DORSET employers including Hobbycraft, Julia's House and Rick Stein have been named among the UK's best companies to work for.

Teachers Building Society and law firm Frettens were also highly rated in the newly-published list.

The list is compiled by Best Companies, which seeks to improve workplaces by carrying out regular research into employee engagement.

Christchurch-headquartered Hobbycraft was number five among the best big companies to work for.

The arts and crafts retailer has more than 90 stores across the country and 2,327 employees, 79 per cent of whom are female. It was the sixth best retailer to work for.

Children's hospice charity Julia's House was number 42 on the list of the best large - sepearate from "big" - companies to work for. The charity, which has 221 staff, was the 16th best company to work for in the south west, and took second place nationally among charities.

Wimborne-based Teachers Building Society was at number 73 among the best small companies to work for. Founded in 1966 to help people in relatively low-paid jobs take out a mortgage, the society has 58 staff, 59 per cent of them women. It was the 22nd best financial services organisation to work for.

Frettens, headquartered in Wimborne with a second office in Ringwood, was number 87 among the best small companies. It has 68 staff, 84 per cent of them women. It was named the 20th best law firm to work for.

Rick Stein Group, which has a restaurant at Sandbanks, was named the 88th best large company to work for and the 14th best leisure and hospitality business. It has 731 staff.

Director Charlie Stein said: "To be recognised by Best Companies in this way is something to be immensely proud of.

"Ever since my parents started the business in the 1970s, looking after our staff, as well as our customers, and making sure they feel valued has been a priority.

"We want everyone to feel that they're part of a team, that they belong, and they feel motivated coming to work. What we've achieved here is down to the hard work of everyone across all of our business and I'm delighted for the whole team."

Brewhouse & Kitchen, the pub chain founded by Bournemouth-based chief executive Kris Gumbrell, was number 187 among large companies and 27th in the leisure and hospitality sector. It has 527 staff.

The top 10 big companies to work for were Willmott Dixon, Admiral Group, Skipton Building Society, Roche, Hobbycraft, MBDA UK, UK Power Networks, Murphy & Sons, Hotel Chocolat and Howdens.