The battle to secure the construction of the of the £350m first phase of work at Battersea Power Station has been whittled down to four firms, according to a construction news website.

The Construction Enquirer website has revealed the four bidding for the lucrative contract are Carillion, Laing O’Rourke, Sir Robert McAlpine and Lend Lease.

The development will include two 18-storey buildings containing 800 apartments, a 120-bed hotel, 230 student rooms as well as restaurants, bars and leisure facilities.

The Enquirer's source said: "McAlpine is favourite for the next phase which is the main power station job but this first phase is mainly resi so it will be a fierce competition and be all about the price."

Work on the development is not expected to being until this summer.