The large number raises hopes that the stricken retailer can be prevented from going under, saving thousands of jobs.

Endless, the Leeds-based turnaround firm, has already confirmed an interest in the retail stores.

A number of high street chains are thought to have expressed an interest in the group's outlets, many of which have planning permission to sell food.

These are said to include supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Iceland, discount stores Wilkinson and Poundland, and other retailers including Boots and New Look.

Woolworths placed its retail and wholesale divisions into administration last week after suffering from cash flow problems.

The group employs 30,000 people at 815 stores and has debts worth £385m. Deloitte, the administrator, is currently assessing the bids.

It has brought in a large team covering insolvency, corporate finance, pensions, forensic and real estate to work on stabilising the trading and supply chain.

Leeds-based Dan Butters, of Deloitte, said: "Meetings are ongoing. We will have a better view on the sale of the business by the middle of the week. At this stage there is a substantial amount of serious interest."

He declined to comment on the identity or number of bidders.

Garry Wilson, the managing partner of Endless, said: "The danger to the business is that all the best stores could be cherry-picked by the retailers.

"That means the rump you have left is not attractive. 400 stores may be bought out of administration but none of them might be called Woolworths."

He said about half of the 815 stores could be saved.