Wilson Bowden shares get bid lift
	Monday, 27 November 2006 :Wilson Bowden shares have surged to a record high after the UK builder announced that a number of companies were interested in buying it. Shares in the firm, which hit the headlines earlier this year when it unveiled new houses starting at £65,000, jumped 14% to £20.86. Speculation that buyers may have been circling the building firm was sparked by The Sunday Times over the weekend. Analysts have predicted mergers in the industry as competition stiffened. Reuters quoted a source as saying that three of Wilson Bowden's main UK rivals were behind the expressions of interest. On Monday, Wilson Bowden said: "The board can confirm that it is in preliminary discussions with a number of parties regarding a possible offer for the company." However, it added that "these discussions are at a very early stage and there can be no certainty they will lead to a formal offer".