Plumbers buying from Wolseley helped raise the company's third-quarter operating profit by 30%.

The results come after the company has played down reports it has put parts of its business up for sale, insisting that a review of its structure is still ongoing.

Wolseley's finance director John Martin confirmed that Build Center was among several business under scrutiny.

"We will improve the performance of these businesses, and then either we classify them for retention in the group or sell them," said Martin.

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