Smoke alarms that send a text to your mobile, dishwasher-proof barbecues and sheds that can be constructed in an hour - these are just some of the innovations newly unveiled by B&Q and its French sister company.
The products were introduced at an international show staged in Lille in northern France, jointly organised by B&Q UK & Ireland and Castorama France, to showcase new home improvement ranges that will hit the stores in 2014.

For one week, buyers from the companies' parent, Kingfisher, assembled 10,000 of their newest, best and most innovative products. Lines developed in-house or direct sourced were on show, and around 400 suppliers also showcased their own products that have been selected by B&Q and Castorama for the 2014 ranges. They were also invited to pitch new products that they hope will be listed in future.

More than 6,000 employees from around the group came to learn about the new products and to take part in group activities designed to engage, inspire and broaden the knowledge of store colleagues.

The joint product show - the first of its kind - illustrates how B&Q UK & Ireland and Castorama France are increasingly working together to deliver innovation and exclusivity by leveraging the group's sourcing capabilities and designing more own-brand and common products.

New ideas on show included a drill with a light on the end, and a hammer with a magnetic groove in the head to hold nails in place and a non-slip golf club grip.

New Cooke & Lewis quick-assembly kitchen cabinet units feature a unique 'uniclick' system which requires no screws or glue - simply click and connect the cabinets together. The record for a single unit assembly at the Lille show was 14 seconds. And B&Q is also launching a new 3D kitchen planner which will allow customers to create a CGI of their ideal kitchen in less than two minutes.