UK's biggest contractor confirms that it has made an approach for Mowlem to rival Carllion's 拢291m bid.

Balfour Beatty, the UK鈥檚 biggest contractor, this morning said that it was considering making an offer for Mowlem to rival Carillion鈥檚 拢291m bid.

In a statement to the stock exchange Balfour Beatty confirmed that it has made an approach to Mowlem but said: 鈥淭here is no certainty that an offer will be forthcoming. A further announcement will be made in due course.鈥

However, the Mowlem board has already recommended Carillion鈥檚 205p a share offer, announced last Wednesday. At the time, Mowlem chief executive confirmed that another company had undertaken due diligence but did not name Balfour Beatty and said that no offer had materialised.

If Balfour Beatty does make a rival offer, it is highly likely to be higher, and there is speculation that it is considering a price of between 218p and 222p.