BUILDERS’ merchant Travis Perkins said stronger demand for kitchens and bathrooms boosted sales at its Wickes DIY chain.

Wickes, which has a store at Longroyd Bridge, lifted like-for-like sales by 7.8% in the 13 weeks to the end of September and by 0.7% in the first nine months of the year.

Travis Perkins said group turnover for the nine months to September 26 fell by 11% – an improvement on a 13% decrease during the first six months of the year.

The company, which raised £300m from investors in May, said net debt continued to fall during its third quarter.