The head of a rapidly expanding family building firm has reassured workers their job security is his priority after receiving a takeover bid for the company.

Dutch construction giant Heijmans has tabled an undisclosed offer for Abingdon-based Leadbitter Construction and in a statement said it "expects to reach agreement on the acquisition".

But Leadbitter managing director Bob Rendell said that while the move was being considered, talks were still at an early stage and no decision would be made for some time.

He added: "We're a major employer in the area and the most important thing for us is the security and future of our employees.

"This is not a done deal. This Dutch company has looked at how successful we have been in the UK market, our growth and profitability, and has approached us.

"We're talking, but there's no certainty of a takeover."

Leadbitter employs 325 people directly at offices in Bristol and Bracknell, as well as the new Abingdon headquarters, where 150 staff are based.

Leadbitter was founded in 1971 by Frederick Rendell and, for 14 years, worked mostly for Oxford colleges.

His son Bob expanded the business from a £300,000 annual turnover to the £100m predicted for the next financial year.

In a statement, Heijmans said the proposed takeover would be paid for in cash.

Leadbitter would continue to operate independently in the UK, within Heijmans, under its own name and management who would remain with the firm for at least three more years. It added: "The planned acquisition is part of Heijmans strategy to expand its activities in neighbouring countries, with a view to risk distribution, exchanging know-how and economies of scale.

"In addition to Germany and Belgium, the United Kingdom is a major market. Leadbitter shall form a bridgehead for Heijmans in the United Kingdom."

At the Oxfordshire Business Awards, the company won the Customer Care category.

Leadbitter has won a string of multi-million pound contracts recently with the latest including a £10m clinical services unit at Wexham Park hospital in Slough and a new leisure complex for Sport England at the Bisham Abbey national sport centre.

It moved from its base in Eynsham to purpose-built new offices in Abingdon in August.