ANNE McIntosh, Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions, and Conservative MP for the Vale of York, set off on a quest to find out how they "B&Q it" in York.

She was taken on a tour of B&Q's store at Clifton Moor Retail Park, learning on the way all about the proactive equality policies the store has put in place with regards to age, disability, cultural diversity, gender and sexual orientation.

B&Q's over-50s employment policy is widely respected throughout the industry. It allows employees reaching retirement age the opportunity to continue to work, and there are no age restrictions on people applying to join the company.

She was told that B&Q's focus on diversity applies not only to its staff but also to its customers, stores and products. Initiatives in place include increasing accessibility to stores for B&Q staff members and customers.

As a result, all of B&Q's new stores have incorporated improved disabled parking bays, manual and electric wheelchairs, induction hearing loops for people with a hearing impairment, as well as lower counters and help points for wheelchair users. The final part of the programme to refit all stores was completed six months ahead of the Disability Discrimination Act becoming legislation in October last year.

Miss McIntosh said: "It is essential that the talents of older workers are not wasted.

"I am delighted that local employers like B&Q are recognising the value that older workers can bring to their businesses."

Updated: 09:38 Monday, May 08, 2006