June 11 (Reuters) - UK's Long Harbour has secured

financing to launch a possible 700 million pound ($944.5

million) takeover bid for PRS REIT, Sky News reported

on Wednesday, citing sources.

Shares in PRS rose 5.2% to a record high of 125 pence

following the news. The real estate investment trust, which was

established to invest in the private rental sector, in February

said it had received several proposals from unnamed suitors.

Reuters could not immediately verify the Sky News report.

PRS and Long Harbour did not immediately respond to Reuters

requests for comment. The companies had declined to comment to

Sky News.

Long Harbour has secured backing from a major financial

investor and has tabled a formal proposal for PRS, the report

added.

The potential transaction could add to a growing list of

deals in the UK and within the country's REIT industry.

Unite Group ( UTGPF ) proposed to buy Empiric Student Property ( EPCFF )

while Warehouse REIT agreed to be bought out by

investment firm Blackstone last week.

Shares in PRS were up 4.9% at 124.6 pence as of 1010

GMT, valuing the firm at about 655 million pounds.

($1 = 0.7411 pounds)