STOCK WATCH

■ VP shot higher after putting itself up for sale.

The construction equipment and vehicle hire firm said a company linked to its chairman Jeremy Pilkington, and which owns a controlling stake, had told the board it planned to sell its holding.

As a result, VP was seeking a buyer and launched a formal sales process. It said it had yet to receive an approach and there was no guarantee of an offer being made.

The shares rose 14.6pc, or 120p, to 940p.