Housebuilder is up for sale, leaving the way open for a bidding war between George Wimpey, Redrow and Bellway

Wilson Bowden is up for sale after the housebuilder admitted its was talks with a number of potential buyers.

The statement to the London Stock Exchange came after speculation over the weekend that Wilson Bowden was in talks with a number of housebuilders. Companies talking to Wilson Bowden are thought to include George Wimpey, Redrow and Bellway.

In the statement the Wilson Bowden board, said: “The board can confirm that it is in preliminary discussions with a number of parties regarding a possible offer for the company.

“These discussions are at a very early stage and there can be no certainty they will lead to a formal offer being made for the issued share capital of the company.”

Interest in Wilson Bowden was triggered by the decision of founder David Wilson to review his family’s 33% stake in the business in July. At the time of the announcement shares in Wilson Bowden soared 5% as the expectation of a sale.

In September, banking giant HBOS was linked with a offer for Wilson Bowden.

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