Carlsberg and Heineken are next week set to launch a formal bid to buy and break-up Scottish & Newcastle in a move that has enraged Britain’s biggest brewer.

The pair were on Wednesday understood to be planning a friendly offer pricing S&N – whose assets include Foster’s lager and Strongbow cider – at between 720p and 750p per share, valuing the company at between £6.8bn and £7.10bn, excluding debt. If the brewers unsuccessful in friendly negotiations, they may consider a hostile approach.