Reports indicate DIY and builders' merchant specialist Grafton is one of a number of parties that have expressed interest in buying parts of British group Wolseley, which have been put up for sale to combat the impact of the recession on the business.

Wolseley has appointed Bank of America Merrill Lynch to manage the sale of a number of its operations in Britain: Build Center, Electric Center and insulation materials business Encon. Industry estimates value them at £300 million (€345.9 million).

Grafton already has a substantial British operation.