Oct 8 (Reuters) - ** Shares of Lotus Resources

rise as much as 6.7% to A$0.278, their biggest intraday pct gain since Sept 26

** Stock hits its highest level since Sept 27

** The uranium explorer announces an accelerated restart plan for its Kayelekara project in Malawi

** Says co to reduce time to first uranium production to 8-10 months from 15 months

** Adds initial restart capital expenditure reduced to $50 mln from $88 mln

** Lotus Resources' stock down 6.1% YTD, including current session's moves

(Reporting by Nikita Maria Jino in Bengaluru)

((Nikita.Jino@thomsonreuters.com;))