Some of the 2014 Winter Olympics glory has rubbed off on a Kent hardware independent, which is priding itself on playing a small part in helping Britain win Gold.
British skeleton racer Lizzie Yarnold has been a regular customer of local shop Sevenoaks Hardware, buying supplies with which to keep her skeleton board in tip-top condition. And the materials are clearing doing the trick for Ms Yarnold, who scooped a Gold medal in the Sochi event.

Sevenoaks Hardware owner Stephen Martin told diyweek.net that she had been a customer for a couple of years, "since she started on her sledge", but that the staff did not initially know who she was.

"But once she started making an impact with the World Championships we were beginning to realise who she was and what she was up to," he said.

Some of the materials Ms Yarnold needs are quite unusual, according to Mr Martin. But he went on: "She buys predominantly wet and dry carborundum paper and stainless steel nuts and bolts, just to keep her sledge going. I don't know exactly what she uses it on but I imagine she has to maintain the runners."

And even after her triumph, Ms Yarnold has remained a customer. "Oh yes, she still comes in," Mr Martin said. "It's only a tiny little thing that sledge, but it obviously needs keeping in top form."

He said it was very nice to have such a superstar sportswoman living locally, and as to her success: "I think it's brilliant."

And it seems the respect is mutual. Just before Ms Yarnold flew out to Sochi, the help she receives from the shop was covered by the local Sevenoaks Chronicle, in which she is quoted as saying: "I'm hoping I've got all the sandpaper I need. The local hardware store is amazing."