Shoppers will be vying to hoover up the last of the most powerful vacuum cleaners on the market as a new EU law comes into effect.

The new energy rule means manufacturers will not be able to make or import vacuum cleaners with a motor that exceeds 900 watts.

Vacuum cleaners are subject to EU energy labelling and ecodesign requirements.

The European Commission website says: "From September 2017, the most efficient vacuum cleaners will carry a label of A+++. These ratings take into account the vacuum cleaners' total power and how efficiently that power is used to pick up dust."

It lists the following benefits to the new rules: