CH2M, a U.S. engineering company, has made at £189m, 245p-a- share offer for Scott Wilson, triggering a bidding war for the British group which is helping design the Crossrail train line.   This tops an earlier £161m, 210p-a-share recommended offer from U.S. rival URS, which is part of a joint venture that helps manage the Sellafield nuclear site. CH2M owns 13.1pc of Scott Wilson and has the backing of Scott Wilson investors holding 5pc of the company's shares.

Scott Wilson has given URS until July 1 to match the new offer. URS, which has a matching rights agreement with Scott Wilson, said it was considering its options.
The prospect of a bidding war for Scott Wilson sent shares in the engineering consultancy rocketing on Monday, closing up 133½ at 253p.
The bidding war emerged after Scott Wilson reported full-year results, showing near-doubled, pre-tax profits of £18m, up from to £9.4m in the preceding year, despite revenue slipping to £340.4m from £360m.
URS wants to buy Scott Wilson to expand its infrastructure capabilities in the UK across a range of markets with long-term growth potential, including rail and harbors.
(Source: Daily Telegraph)