UK companies were the most targeted for mergers and acquisitions in Europe last year, with the value of deals into the country hitting $348.9bn (€263bn), more than double that of its nearest rival on the continent.

The second-largest volume of takeover offers behind the UK, which saw 2,579 deals in 2006, was Spain which accounted for 759 deals worth $182.2bn, according to Thomson Financial, the data provider, in a report released today.