Tesco Plc &lt;TSCO.L> said that &lt;CountyLtd> had yesterday bought on its behalf 2.06 mln shares, or
around 4.2 pct, in &lt;Hillards Plc> for between 302p and 310p a
share.
    Tesco yesterday launched a 151.4 mln stg bid for the north
of England supermarket chain, which Hillards promptly rejected.
    Hillards shares were last quoted at 324p, compared with
last night's close of 313p.
 REUTER
