UPDATE 2-Housebuilders lead FTSE 100 rise, buyout offer helps Merlin soar <!-- no image --> <div>* Merlin rejoices after buyout offer (Adds news items, updates to closing prices)<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.reuters.com/~ff/reuters/UKBankingFinancial?a=G7InH9gQOh4:roYL-hO7vDU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/reuters/UKBankingFinancial?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></a> <a href="http://feeds.reuters.com/~ff/reuters/UKBankingFinancial?a=G7InH9gQOh4:roYL-hO7vDU:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/reuters/UKBankingFinancial?i=G7InH9gQOh4:roYL-hO7vDU:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></a> <a href="http://feeds.reuters.com/~ff/reuters/UKBankingFinancial?a=G7InH9gQOh4:roYL-hO7vDU:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/reuters/UKBankingFinancial?i=G7InH9gQOh4:roYL-hO7vDU:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/reuters/UKBankingFinancial/~4/G7InH9gQOh4" height="1" width="1" alt=""></div> Posted by Reuters