"Lloyds TSB, whose attempt to buy Northern Rock was rebuffed by the Bank of England, is casting its eye over Alliance & Leicester as a possible consolation prize.Shares in A&L, which have been heavily hit by the credit crunch, rose by 30.5p to 510p on Friday on bid speculation. However, sources said no talks have taken place between the two."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/24/lloydstsbgroup.allianceleicesterbusiness