Construction firms which operate on a international basis could become involved in rebuilding the country's bomb damaged infrastructure.

John Bromley, Director for European Affairs for the Construction Confederation, which represents 5,000 companies in the UK, said it would be looking to tender for contracts for its members.

"Work on a large scale would probably come from European funding, with the EU making large contributions to a lot of programmes," he said.

"But it is a long way off, and it does tend to be that central Europe is base for a lot of German firms, although UK firms will try to get a slice of the market.

"There would also be private sector work as well, which firms in the UK would tender for.

Rebuilding bombed bridges will be a major task

"It's said that Yugoslavia has been knocked back by 25 years, and so much infrastructure needs to be built and replaced there anyway."

Mr Bromley said major reconstruction work in Kosovo would include the rebuilding of bridges and utilities.

But he stressed that Kosovo would not be a top priority target for the confederation's members, as more work was available in Poland and Russia.

One company which said it had already made overtures, putting itself forward for possible reconstruction work, was Taylor Woodrow Construction.

'We are ready and able'

Spokesman Andrew Wadsted said the company had approached various government bodies in the UK expressing its "expertise and desire to play a pivotal role" in Kosovo projects.

"It's relatively early days, and there is a heck of a task ahead. We would be very keen to play a part in assisting whatever needs to be done."

He said the company had not been directly involved in reconstruction work after the Bosnian conflict, although it had taken part in rebuilding projects in Kuwait.

"If anything, in Kosovo the initial task would be resettling the refugees and building camps of a sort.

"There would also be emergency requirements for fuel and other utilities, and we are ready and able."

'Interested in opportunities'

Steve Howarth, spokesman for construction group Amec Plc, said it was "very early days", and that it had no firm plans for getting involved in projects in Kosovo.

But he said the company had successfully rebuilt gas supply systems after the Bosnian conflict.

And he said: "Any major company dealing with construction and engineering project management would be looking to get involved in any possible rebuilding."

A spokeswoman for John Laing Plc said the company would be interested in getting involved in opportunities for work in Kosovo, but could not make any further comment.