AVON Rubber is set to sell its tyre business to the Ohio-based Cooper Tire and Rubber Company for £60 million.

The sale, which must be approved by shareholders, will result in a £12 million pre-tax profit and enable Avon to concentrate on production of polymer components for the automotive and engineering markets. The company has also agreed to sell its base at Melksham in Wiltshire to Cooper, but will lease back part of the site.