Feb 17 (Reuters) - British healthcare real estate

investment trust Assura has rejected a 1.56 billion

pound ($1.96 billion) proposal from KKR and pension fund

Universities Superannuation Scheme, the U.S.-based private

equity group said on Monday.

KKR said it had made four indicative, non-binding proposals

to Assura, the latest of which was at 48 pence per share and was

rejected by the British company's board.

"KKR is considering whether there is any merit in continuing

to try and engage with the board," the U.S. group said in a

statement.

In a separate statement, Universities Superannuation Scheme

said that it did not intend to make an offer for Assura, as part

of the consortium or otherwise.

It was not immediately clear if KKR was considering an

independent offer.

($1 = 0.7940 pounds)