Other retailers might be feeling the heat on the high street but one of the nation's biggest DIY chains has revealed the recent hot weather has boosted its takings.

Sales at Kingfisher-owned B&Q - which has its biggest store in Europe in Gloucester - rose 3.6 per cent for the firm's last quarter, which came to an end at the close of July.

By comparison with last year sales were up 1.6 per cent, and at Kingfisher's Screwfix counters takings were also up - by 5.5 per cent.

Veronique Laury, Kingfisher chief executive, said cold weather had hit its first quarter sales Europe-wide, with the business recording a four per cent fall.

"In the second quarter, I'm pleased that we grew our sales after the exceptionally harsh weather conditions in the first quarter," said Ms Laury.

She added that "good sales growth" had not been repeated at its Brico Depot France, with like-for-like sales down one per cent during the quarter.