Fake tan firm poised for sale

St Tropez, the fake tanning company that bronzes the stars from Victoria Beckham to supermodel Elle MacPherson, is set to be sold to Lloyds TSB for about £70m (€102m), it was reported today.

LDC, the bank’s private equity division, is expected to sign a deal within a fortnight after fighting off competition from rival bidders such as Phoenix Equity Partners, The Times reported.