Cadbury Schweppes has received about a dozen expressions of interest in its U.S. drinks business, a source close to the sale process said on Friday, raising hopes the sale price could top forecasts. Shares in the world's largest confectionery maker were up 3.3% at 695.5 pence to value the Trident chewing gum and Dairy Milk chocolate maker at 14.6 billion pounds ($29 billion), having set a record high at 707.5 pence. British-based Cadbury unveiled plans in March to split its sweets and drinks units, fuelling speculation at the time of a 7 billion pounds sale of its beverages business. The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported on Friday two private equity consortiums were preparing 8 billion pound bids for Cadbury's U.S. drinks business which includes Dr Pepper and Snapple. Cadbury would not comment on the report. "There are considerably more (interested parties) than in the Daily Telegraph report, about 12," the source told Reuters.