A repair café is hoping to hoover up victims of a ban on high-powered vacuum cleaners.

The new European directive, introduced this week, means manufacturing or importing vacuum cleaners with a motor that exceeds 1,600 watts.

The news has hit the national news headlines, with reports suggesting that people were ‘panic-buying’ the machines last weekend.

However, the Royston Repair Café believes it has an alternative solution to buying a new machine.

Chris Lee, co-founder of the Repair Cafe said: “It’s a lot cheaper and saves more energy mending well-made older models than buying new ones.

“Our amazing volunteer repairers are delighted to keep items in use rather than boost manufacturer’s profits.”

The next Royston Repair Café takes place on Sunday, October 26 at the Market Hill Rooms in Royston. Repairers will attempt to fix a range of items, including vacuum cleaners and other electrical items. For more information, log on to: www.facebook.com/RoystonRepairCafe.