Devon diy store is first and only to receive accreditation in county.
Abbotts in Ottery St Mary, East Devon has become a Dulux colour advice centre.

The diy store is the only retailer in Devon to be given the accreditation by the paint manufacturer.

To get advice centre status, the company had to meet criteria covering product knowledge, price, have the ability to mix paint, and currently offer a comprehensive range.

Meanwhile staff had to be trained on extensive training courses, including interactive dvd programmes, to help customers select co-ordinated colour schemes.

Chris Abbott, partner in the business, believes the accreditation will add to Abbotts' established reputation for service.

He told diyweek.net: "We are well-known in the area as large Dulux stockists so this will help generate considerable turnover of customers, particularly those people who are new to the town and also those looking for advice on not just run-of-the-mill paints, but also specialist ones."

He added: "We are delighted to be selected as the only colour and advice centre in Devon. It will be an excellent marketing tool and will help promote us locally to inform customers we stock an extensive range and have the product knowledge to back it up."