The same number of people who will be celebrating the Jubilee weekend will opt for a spot of DIY or gardening over the long bank holiday, according to a new survey by TNS.
When asked what they will be doing over the June 2 - 5 period, 19% of people said home improvement, the same number to opt for "celebrating the Jubilee." Gardening was highlighted as the top home improvement activity, with two thirds of handymen/women planning to get out in the garden over the weekend. 42%, meanwhile, said they will be painting.

Fencing was another popular plan at 13%, while 22% opted for the indoor activities of wallpapering and electrical work (11% each). One in ten plan to make the most of the extra days off to fix windows, curtains and blinds around the house, while shelving, flooring and fitting a new door each got 7% approval.

TNS said the survey could mean a "much-needed boost" for the home improvement retail sector, adding "almost half of respondents said they were making fewer home improvements than previously." The fact that 40% said they were using fewer trades people for jobs around the home underlines the value, according to the survey body, of good in-store advice from DIY retailers.

TNS UK's head of retail shopper Ivan Browne said: "Service and advice are especially important for all those people who are planning work that is beyond their previous level of expertise. There is a different picture for garden centres, where an enjoyable experience in-store is the top attraction.

"With so many people planning gardening and DIY over the Jubilee period, there is a real opportunity for DIY retailers and garden centres to give their business a Jubilee jump-start."