UPDATE 1-Regent Inns gets bid approaches, shares leap

(Adds analyst comment, detail, updates shares)

LONDON Jan 15 (Reuters) - Britain's Regent Inns REGI.L, which runs Walkabout sports bars and Jongleurs comedy clubs, said on Tuesday it had received a number of takeover approaches, sending its shares up nearly 60 percent.

"These approaches are at an early stage and may or may not lead to an offer," the firm said in a statement, without naming its suitors. It declined to comment further.

Regent Inns shares, which climbed 8 percent on Monday, were up 57 percent at 25.75 pence by 1127 GMT, valuing the firm at about 29 million pounds ($56.87 million).

Analysts said smaller, privately owned pub estates with high-street exposure were the most likely suitors, ruling out larger groups such as Punch Taverns (PUB.L) and Mitchells & Butlers (MAB.L).

"It's a larger deal than first appears as the company has 70 million pounds of debt, but (the deal) is still sub-scale," said Greg Feehely, head of research at Altium.

"The best hope for shareholders is if there is a competitive auction," he added.

He named privately owned groups Laurel, which has around 450 pubs, and Novus Leisure, the owner of the Tiger Tiger brand, as potential buyers.

Venture capitalist firm Alchemy could also be in the frame, he said, as it has made two pubs acquisitions since September 2005.

None of the three were available for comment.

Regent Inns issued a profit warning last month amid a difficult consumer environment, and said on Tuesday the tough climate was continuing.

"Regent Inns reports that, since the AGM statement of Dec. 3 2007, it continues to experience more challenging market conditions against a background of a difficult consumer market generally," the company said.

"The group's forecasts have been slashed dramatically, and are under downward pressure again," Feehely said.

"This is the only option left to them -- we have said before that the only reason to invest in Regent is in the hope of a takeover," added Numis Securities' Simon French. (additional reporting by Mark Potter; Editing by Rory Channing) (Reporting by John Bowker, Editing by Dan Lalor)