We are well advanced with negotiations with the prospective buyers of both the main businesses

Sir Geoffrey Mulcahy, Kingfisher chief executive

But it said a decision on the planned demerger of Woolworths and Superdrug had yet to be taken.

Like-for-like sales rose 4.9% across the group for the 13 weeks to 5 May, with the DIY division, including B&Q and Castorama, achieving 7.6% like-for-like growth.

General merchandise - including toys, sweets and music chain Woolworths, and health and beauty chain Superdrug - achieved 3.6% growth, while electricals, including Britain's Comet and Darty in France, rose 1.6%.

Work on the demerger of general merchandise is continuing, the company said, with a final decision on whether to sell or float Woolworths and Superdrug expected by the end of July.

Chief executive Sir Geoffrey Mulcahy said: "At the same time we are well advanced with negotiations with the prospective buyers of both the main businesses."