Connie, 80, opens B&Q's China store

An 80-year-old grandmother who works part-time at B&Q was today helping to open the latest DIY giant’s store in China.

Connie Cox, from Fareham in Hampshire, UK, the company’s oldest female employee, was recruited by regional manager Steve Gilman at the tender age of 68.

He went on to become a director and promised Connie that if she was still working with the firm at the age of 80, he would take her to see B&Q’s operations in China.

“It’s like a dream come true,” said Connie, who cycles to her job in the Fareham store’s garden centre.

Mr Gilman said Connie was a “wonderful example” of how B&Q’s policy of employing older people was a success.

B&Q now has eight stores in China and today announced plans to invest a further £50m (€78.6m) in the country next year to double the number of outlets.