A CONTROVERSIAL takeover bid for the Gosport ferry could be in jeopardy after another interested company approached the board.

Gosport ferry shareholders have been considering a bid from the Falkland Islands Company to take over the 121-year-old service in recent weeks.

But now there is a further twist to the tale, after they were told a third party had shown interest, which may or may not lead to an offer being submitted in the coming weeks.

A source told the Daily Echo that, although they did not know the name of the company, they have reason to believe it could be a property development firm.

Finance director for the Gosport Ferry, Chas Withinshaw, said they could not yet reveal a name as an offer had not been formally submitted.

He said: "The board has been approached by the third party, which may or may not lead to an offer. But that is all we can say. As soon as the shareholders know, it will be in the public domain. At the moment we haven't had the full details of the second offer. But it is another option."

Currently, 43 per cent of the shareholders have voted in favour of the Falkland Islands Company bid, but the firm has only until the end of next week to clinch a majority.

Falkland Islands Company chairman David Hudd said he was still optimistic they would be successful: "It still remains to be seen but I believe we have submitted a very full final offer."

Recently, more than 15,000 Gosport residents signed a petition against the ferry company being taken over by an outside firm, fearing the service will be tampered with.

Gosport Labour parliamentary candidate Dr Richard Williams commented: "I wouldn't be at all surprised if someone else is in the frame. The Gosport ferry is a phenomenal service."