UPDATE 1-Taylor Wimpey no knowledge of hedge fund interest

(Adds detail, quotes from finance director)

LONDON, July 3 (Reuters) - Troubled British housebuilder Taylor Wimpey (TW.L: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Thursday it had no knowledge of any hedge fund plans to help the company raise needed cash and it was "pretty optimistic" on reaching a deal with its bankers. Taylor Wimpey shares sank by more than 50 percent and its bonds dived on Wednesday after the company said it had failed to raise the 500 million pounds ($993 million) it needed to ease its financing terms.

The Financial Times reported on Thursday that a hedge fund had expressed an interest in reviving the deal, offering to bridge a 100 million pound financing gap, citing people close to the fund-raising efforts.

But Taylor Wimpey Finance Director Peter Johnson told a conference call with bond investors on Thursday he had "no knowledge" of any hedge fund interest,

OPTIMISTIC ON BANK DEAL

Johnson, who has already announced his resignation, said he was "pretty optimistic" that Taylor Wimpey could still reach a deal with its bankers, even without raising capital.

"We have the liquidity and I would think in those circumstances we would get full support from banks if necessary," Johnson said.

The chance of raising the full capital by the end of this week was less than 50 percent, he added.