PHOTOGRAPHIC specialist Jessops announced plans yesterday to float on the London stock market in a move that could value it at more than £180m.

The retailer, which started as a family business and now has 262 stores, said the flotation would help build on its success in the digital revolution.

It is being sold by ABN Amro, although no details were available on whether managers would be in line for a windfall.

Jessops was founded in 1935 and operated as a family company until 1996, when it was acquired in a management buyout before being bought by ABN six years later.

The group supplies brands including Canon, Fuji, Kodak, Nikon, Olympus and Sony and sells its products through the Internet, mail order, telesales and wholesale, as well as traditional outlets.

Chief executive David Hine said: "This is a very exciting time for Jessops and for everyone involved in the company. Flotation will help increase our profile and will provide us with the opportunity to access additional sources of capital, to build on the success we have achieved to date and to capitalise on the digital revolution."

Since the first buyout, Jessops has seen turnover increase from £86.6m to £287.1m last year.

The first buyout team tried to float Jessops four years ago but abandoned the attempt.