Discount department store chain The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) is understood to be exploring a sale.

According to Sky News, owners, Duke Street, has instructed Deloitte to review a range of unsolicited approaches for the retailer, although no value has been reported on what a potential sale could reach.

Private equity firm, Duke Street acquired TOFS, which operates from around 180 stores across the UK, for £68.5m in 2007.

It is understood that a potential sale was earmarked for next year, but has now been moved forward following recent interest in the retailer.