Last month acquisitive aggregates firm Breedon pulled out of the bidding after its offer failed to meet Lafarge and Anglo’s expected valuation.

The sell-off, which is conditional upon regulatory approval, comprises:

– a cement plant in Hope, Derbyshire, with a capacity of 1.4 million tonnes, and related depots;

– a network of 172 ready-mix concrete plants;

– five aggregates quarries, two asphalt plants, one marine aggregates wharf and one rail-linked aggregates depot;

– the sale of Tarmac’s 50% ownership interest in Midlands Quarry Products, which is also subject to regulatory approval and a right of pre-emption in favour of Hanson Quarry Products Europe.