A supplier of ready meals to supermarkets is being circled by private equity firms.

Bakkavor, which employs 1,300 people at its Caledonian Produce site in Bo'ness, makes food for the likes of Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and Tesco.

Along with ready meals it also makes desserts and pizzas.

PAI Partners and Pamplona Capital are understood to have registered an interest in taking a stake in the business.

At least 37 per cent of the company is expected to be up for grabs with a number of Icelandic financial institutions planning to sell shares.

Internationally Bakkavor's customers include BurgerKing, Starbucks, Pizza Express and Pret a Manger.