A flooring element for connection to other elements in a flooring system , the flooring element comprising: a body defining a connector surface that is substantially horizontal when in use; a female connector comprising a connector recess suitable for receiving a male connector of another flooring element of the flooring system , the connector recess defining a connector opening in the connector surface; and a retainer connectable to the body such that, while connected, the retainer is movable between: a closed position in which the retainer is arranged to restrict movement of the male connector , to guard against the male connector exiting the connector recess through the connector opening ; and an open position in which the retainer does not restrict movement of the male connector , thereby permitting the male connector to exit the connector recess through the connector opening ; wherein the retainer comprises an obstruction portion configured such that when the retainer is in the closed position the connector opening is obstructed by the obstruction portion to restrict movement of the male connector , and when the retainer is in the open position, the connector recess is unobstructed by the obstruction portion so that the retainer does not restrict movement of the male connector . a body defining a connector surface that is substantially horizontal when in use; a female connector comprising a connector recess suitable for receiving a male connector of another flooring element of the flooring system , the connector recess defining a connector opening in the connector surface; and a retainer connectable to the body such that, while connected, the retainer is movable between: a closed position in which the retainer is arranged to restrict movement of the male connector , to guard against the male connector exiting the connector recess through the connector opening ; and an open position in which the retainer does not restrict movement of the male connector , thereby permitting the male connector to exit the connector recess through the connector opening ; wherein the retainer comprises an obstruction portion configured such that when the retainer is in the closed position the connector opening is obstructed by the obstruction portion to restrict movement of the male connector , and when the retainer is in the open position, the connector recess is unobstructed by the obstruction portion so that the retainer does not restrict movement of the male connector . a closed position in which the retainer is arranged to restrict movement of the male connector , to guard against the male connector exiting the connector recess through the connector opening ; and an open position in which the retainer does not restrict movement of the male connector , thereby permitting the male connector to exit the connector recess through the connector opening ; wherein the retainer comprises an obstruction portion configured such that when the retainer is in the closed position the connector opening is obstructed by the obstruction portion to restrict movement of the male connector , and when the retainer is in the open position, the connector recess is unobstructed by the obstruction portion so that the retainer does not restrict movement of the male connector . <EOS>