Olympic champion Lizzy Yarnold opened Kent’s first Bunnings Warehouse in Folkestone.

Moving into the former B&Q site in Park Farm - which closed in January - the superstore welcomed customers for the first time today.

At more than 74,000 square feet, it stocks 30,000 different products, including international and British brands and employs 95 people.

Lizzy Yarnold, who won gold in the skeleton at the 2014 Winter Olympics, met staff before performing the opening.

Team members have been helping out in the community clearing ground at The Beacon School in Folkestone for pupils to create their own garden.

They have also planted raised beds at the Hill Road Community Garden and built a sensory garden for children at Casper’s Nursery.

Store manager Matt Cope said: “It is great to finally open our doors to customers. Our team members have worked really hard to get the store ready for opening and make sure we have the expertise to help with home or garden projects.”

Family activities will be laid on for the next two weekends with face-painting, balloon modelling and Peppa Pig joining the team.

Bunnings is Australia and New Zealand’s leading home improvement retailer and took over Homebase in February 2016 in a £340 million deal. Folkestone’s Homebase is due to become a B&M Bargains store.