Now here's a thing - nearly 200 people running, jumping, dancing and singing, and it always happens at about the same time every day.

B&Q general manager Ian Smith, centre, leads his staff in an "energiser" session at the start of the morning today Picture: Garry Atkinson

Is it due to a bout of spring madness?

No, it's just staff at the new B & Q Warehouse in Hull Road, York, getting ready for their working day as they prepare for the official opening at the end of this month.

The "energiser" sessions are led by general manager Ian Smith and are not just about limbering up, though the staff have to be pretty fit to set up displays of 40,000 product lines.

The energiser sessions have formed part of B & Q's active approach to team-building for the last five years.

As well as physical exercises there are also quizzes on product knowledge and role-playing to demonstrate customer service.

Mr Smith said: "With over 200 staff you can imagine how lively the atmosphere is each morning. The excitement is building day by day, so that by the time we open everyone will feel this B and Q Warehouse belongs to them and they'll want to give the best customer service they can."

The energiser sessions will not stop when the warehouse opens for business for the first time on March 31.

Staff will continue to use this pattern of self-preparation at the start of each working day thereafter.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.