Speculation is growing over the eventual fate of the Finelist Group and its refinish distribution business Bancrofts.

Receiver Ernst & Young has told essential suppliers to sit tight as it tries to sort out the financial difficulties, with a debt believed to be in the region of £500m.

Internal sources claim Ernst & Young was forced to make 120 people redundant and close 50 Motor World outlets to keep Finelist trading.

Ford and Visteon, its former car parts arm, are believed to be looking at buying the whole group, though distributor groups like Morelli and Spray Shop Supplies are thought to be eyeing the Bancrofts division. A management buyout is also a firm possibility.