A bidding war for Bob the Builder was brewing today after his owner confirmed two further approaches aimed at scuppering a planned £489m (€711m) takeover.

LIONS Gate Entertainment, whose films include Fahrenheit 9/11 and Monster’s Ball, is on course to swoop for Hit Entertainment, a British children’s television company that last month agreed to a $921 million (€703 million) takeover by venture capital firm Apax Partners.

The US media firm behind children’s favourites The Incredible Hulk and Inspector Gadget today signalled a potential takeover battle for Thomas the Tank Engine owner Hit Entertainment.

Children’s programme licensing group Hit Entertainment today said it had received a takeover approach.

Children’s entertainment and licensing group Hit soothed fears over tough trading conditions today after reporting a steady start to its financial year.

Bob the Builder group Hit Entertainment today moved to quash speculation it had received a takeover approach from a Swiss investment firm.

Hit Entertainment parted company with its chief executive today after sealing a “transforming deal” giving greater US television coverage to Bob the Builder.

The FTSE 100 Index held its nerve today despite seeing Asian markets tumble overnight.

Hit Entertainment, the company behind children’s TV favourite Bob the Builder, today unveiled a major relaunch designed to revive the character’s popularity.

Pingu, the playful penguin character, is to be bought by British children’s entertainment firm Hit in a £15.9m deal, it was announced today.

HIT Entertainment has signed a deal with Fisher Price to make and market pre-school toys based on Barney the Dinosaur.