Electrical group Silvermines rose 7p to 30p on returning bid rumours.SEAQ VOLUME: 1.4bnSEAQ TRADES: 80,593GILTS INDEX: 106.36 +0.66A TAKEOVER of security group Norbain looks a safe bet. The maker of close-circuit television kits shot 109p higher to a 12-month peak of 334p yesterday after announcing that it is in offer talks. Silver Shield was 0.75p better at 2p on rumours, confirmed after the close, of an approach for its windscreen division. Restaurant tiddler Hatford firmed 0.75p to 2p after unveiling bid talks with OFEX- listed rival Montana. Property group Merivale Moore soared 23p to 119.5p after confirming that it is in offer talks.

Rival Warner Estates, down 1.5p to 219p, is the rumoured predator. Plant hire group Ashtead headed the midcap fallers’ after crumbling 15p to 164p on disappointing finals.The minnows were struck by takeover fever. Pilkington, up 3.5p to 101.5p, is also thought to be on private investors’ radars. Picture booths operator Photo- Me snapped 42.5p higher to 880p on talk that venture capitalists are preparing a bid. A bullish note from Apax and vague takeover rumours caused the rise.Wassall jumped 38.5p to 263.5p after the pounds 184m sale of its adhesive business.

The acquisitive conglomerate is tipped for a takeover of up to pounds 1bn. Former conglomerate Tomkins shed 8.75p to 290.75p as Merrills downgraded after confirmation of the bread division demerger. Telecom equipment maker BATM moved to the main listing with a 215p jump to a best-ever 1,740 after director David Goldman made over pounds 2.1m from a share sale. The US broker increased BP’s target price to 1,350 from 1,150p due to rising oil prices. Merrill also pushed Shell 0.75p higher to 537.5p after moving its target from 550p to 600p.SmithKline Beecham shot 21p better to 860.5p on hopes of bumper numbers at its forthcoming interim results. Some traders switched into SB from Glaxo Wellcome, down 18p to 1,750p.Yesterday was a day of debuts. Hull phone group Kingston Communications began conditional dealings with a a 68p rise to 293p in huge volume and immediately attracted takeover rumours.South African insurer Old Mutual opened with a 17.5p rise to 137.5p, while pub group XS Leisure served up a 7.5p rise to 72.5p on its first day on AIM.