SealStop, the Yorkshire-made automatic shut-off valve designed to eliminate water waste, is now being stocked by Longacres, the UK's premier independent garden centre chain.

It is the first major nationwide deal landed by the multi-award-winning device.

Invented by Yorkshire farmers Jason and Belle Richardson, of Pocklington, SealStop was born out of simple frustration with forgotten hoses and flooded yards, and is now helping households, gardeners and smallholders across the UK make every drop count. It acts as a portable ballcock, allowing a tap or hose to keep running without the risk of overfilling a container.

Belle Richardson said the partnership marked a significant milestone for the business.

"This deal with Longacres is a significant milestone on our exciting journey," she said. "Longacres are hugely respected within the UK garden centre sector and we are very proud and honoured that they have shown faith in us and our pioneering product.

"We are in discussions with a number of other leading UK garden centres and hope to make further announcements soon, but Longacres are the first to have stocked SealStop and we are exceptionally grateful."

Matt Shorter, buyer for Longacres, said the product's simplicity and effectiveness made it an easy choice for the chain to stock.

"SealStop is a brilliant invention, simple to use and very, very effective," he said. "Given our increasingly hot summers in the UK, it is an idea whose time has come, and we had no hesitation in stocking it. We pride ourselves on championing innovation within the gardening sector, and this is an excellent example of us doing exactly that.

"We look forward to a long, happy and productive relationship with Belle and Jason and we have every confidence in the success of SealStop. The work they have put in to create and market such a ground-breaking and brilliant water-saving device deserves nothing less."

Longacres Garden Centres, with outlets across the south of England, is a premier source of gardening supplies in the UK, offering high-quality, well-crafted gardening essentials at competitive rates. From quality plants and seeds to wild bird feeders, Longacres is a one-stop shop for all gardening needs.

The deal comes as SealStop undergoes a rebrand ahead of a planned nationwide launch.

"Our new packaging is now getting out to more and more stores, and it's wonderful to see SealStop grow and the support we continue to receive," Belle said. "I love the new branding. It's bolder, easier to understand, and I think it does a much better job of showing exactly what SealStop does at a glance. Most importantly, it stands out on the shelf.

"As a small Yorkshire business, seeing our product displayed in stores is something I'll never take for granted, so thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way."

She added that the past year had been a whirlwind for the business.

"What an extraordinary and wonderful last 12 months it's been," she said. "From winning multiple awards for exceptional customer service and for business and ecological innovation to TV appearances, podcasts and pitching in front of incredibly talented people, it's been full on. Our new and ongoing relationship with Longacres is now the icing on the cake."