March 18 (Reuters) - British private equity group 3i has received several bids from fellow buyout firms for UKsoftware provider Civica, a source familiar with the matter saidon Monday.
Advent International, Apax Partners, Bain Capital and Cinvenhave all submitted bids for Civica, the source said.
Under pressure from frustrated shareholders to cut its debtof 1.2 billion pounds ($1.81 billion) to less than 1 billionpounds by June, 3i had said it will focus on asset disposals toachieve this goal and boost its weak share price.
Last month, it sold Canadian plastic equipment makerMold-Masters to U.S. rival Milacron for 615 million pounds.
3i acquired a majority stake in Civica, which provides ITservices for the public sector, in April 2008 in a deal thatvalued the business at 218 million pounds.
The sale is being run by Rothschild, the source said.
3i declined to comment.