Another consortium of investors is ready to make a bid to buy Jensen, the beleaguered UK sportscar manufacturer after an unnamed Home Counties millionaire failed to come up with the cash.

Cavendish Freres - a London-based investment company - has put together a consortium which includes Saudi businessmen. But the consortium's offer for Jensen is believed to be below the £3m reportedly offered by the preferred bidder.

Paul McKie, spokesman for the Cavendish Freres consortium, said he was told that “several other bidders” had offered more for Jensen, but he was speaking to Jensen's receiver about the situation.

Jensen has been saved from collapse several times over the past 20 years. Last time it received the backing of high profile investors, including dealers like Nick Lancaster.