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Back to back long bank holiday weekends proved a real boost to the DIY economy and there's even more in store at the end of May.

Last Easter, a popular DIY chain reportedly sold over 71,000 square yards of laminate flooring, enough paint to re-decorate Buckingham Palace 40 times over - handy if you're playing host to a wedding - and over 9,000 toilet seats.

A survey by HSBC revealed that outdoor jobs like decking, fencing and gate painting were the most popular tasks. Patios and new bathrooms were highest on the list of planned jobs.

But the mortgage giant warns of making home improvements solely from the point of view of increasing your homes value.

Re-carpeting a whole house could run into thousands but they warn will add little value to your home - one of those personal taste things, whereas a ">loft conversion or ">conservatory will add considerably to your homes value.

However, re-vamping your home's decor cheaply with a fresh coat of neutral coloured paint could make your home more appealing to a potential buyer, even if it doesn't increase its value.