Tommee Tippee could attract £250m bids

Private equity giant 3i is looking to sell the maker of Tommee Tippee baby bottles for more than £200m.

The FTSE 100 group bought Mayborn in a £137m deal four years ago, but has now asked corporate adviser Hawkpoint to draw up a sales document for potential bidders. A source said that Mayborn, which produces the Sangenic hygiene brand as well as Tommee Tippee, could fetch as much as £250m if the bidding is fierce. "There should be some pretty heavy interest," he said.

Mayborn is one of six active investments in 3i's consumer portfolio. Shearings, the Wigan-based coach holiday company, is likely to be sold after a review by accountant Deloitte. A Shearings spokesman has played down the likelihood of a sale, but private equity and corporate advisory sources have repeatedly confirmed that they been approached about the plan.

3i shares closed at 265p on Friday, down 1.27 per cent on the start of the day's trading, valuing it at £2.6bn.