Plymouth's Chris Dawson 'wants to buy Focus DIY stores'

A Plymouth businessman has said he hopes to buy 30 to 40 Focus DIY stores.

The administrators for Focus, Ernst & Young, are about to start a closing down sale across the chain after it got into financial difficulties.

Millionaire Chris Dawson, who owns The Range chain of homeware stores, said he expected to conclude a deal for the Focus stores within weeks.

Mr Dawson told BBC News he had already done a deal to acquire stock that was originally intended for Focus.

Ernst & Young said the problems with the weak housing market and low consumer confidence had put Focus under "considerable pressure".

Fifty-five Focus stores have already been sold.