A MANAGEMENT and employee buy-out bid has been launched for part of British Coal Enterprise - also believed to be a target for Lancashire Enterprises plc.

The announcement of an in-house bid for the business funding arm of BCE comes just 10 days before the deadline for bids for the job creation company.

Lancashire Enterprises has refused to comment on reports that it is also lining up a bid for the company.

Since its formation in 1984 BCE has provided financial support totalling more than £100 million to 5,250 to projects in six mining regions including the North West.

The bid has been launched by BCE's finance director and investment manager.

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