Blackstone, the US private equity company that owns Merlin Entertainments, is set to acquire SeaWorld and Busch Gardens.

The company – which already owns brands such as Legoland and Madame Tussauds through its Merlin arm – is in talks to acquire Anheuser-Busch InBev’s 10 theme parks, in a deal worth up to US$3bn (£1.25bn).

As yet, neither company has made an official statement, but it is thought that a deal could be reached by the end of this week.

Blackstone also owns the Center Parcs holiday villages and has a 50 per cent stake in Universal Orlando.