Tradesmen were hit for six as they watched former England cricketer Ronnie Irani step up to the crease to cut the ribbon at a new store.

Arco’s 1,900 sq ft superstore in Acorn Industrial Park, Crayford, was declared officially open on Monday morning, offering hard hats, workwear, footwear and gloves.

Customers are sure to be bowled over by the special first-week discounts throughout the store, with lower prices on a range of jackets, boots and trousers.

Arco’s head of retail, Paul Frewin, said: “The opening of our new Crayford store will extend Arco’s South East network to nine stores and 48 nationally across the UK, which helps us in our goal of making safety products and advice even more accessible to local businesses and tradesmen.

"Our new store will offer customers the best possible selection of products, with our own in-store experts available to offer advice and training.”