The Irish animation company behind the Picme and Twisted Tales cartoon series has landed two major new international deals.

THE Irish animation sector has exploded over the past decade with hundreds of people employed in the multi-million euro industry.

The Irish animation sector has exploded over the past decade with hundreds of people employed in the multi-million euro industry, it was claimed today.

The company behind Bob the Builder has pulled out of making a takeover offer for children’s UK entertainment group Chorion.

Department stores chain House of Fraser was said today to be on the shopping list of private equity firm Apax Partners after revealing a bid approach last week.

The FTSE 100 Index was set for a positive end to the week today after the General Election result broadly met City forecasts.

The battle for control of Bob the Builder group Hit Entertainment became a one-horse race today when another potential suitor walked away from takeover talks.

The top flight finished today comfortably in the black, but failed to make up much of the week’s losses.

A bidding war for Bob the Builder was brewing today after his owner confirmed two further approaches aimed at scuppering a planned £489m (€711m) takeover.

THE race to take over Bob the Builder creator Hit Entertainment hotted up over the weekend, after Canadian film and television studio Lions Gate Entertainment said it may bid for the company.

LIONS Gate Entertainment, whose films include Fahrenheit 9/11 and Monster’s Ball, is on course to swoop for Hit Entertainment, a British children’s television company that last month agreed to a $921 million (€703 million) takeover by venture capital firm Apax Partners.

The US media firm behind children’s favourites The Incredible Hulk and Inspector Gadget today signalled a potential takeover battle for Thomas the Tank Engine owner Hit Entertainment.

The London market overcame jitters in the retail sector and downbeat trading on Wall Street to make a positive start to the week today.

Children’s programme licensing group Hit Entertainment today said it had received a takeover approach.

The FTSE 100 Index ended the week in the red amid weak US economic news and caution about Sunday’s election in Iraq.

Bob the Builder group Hit Entertainment today moved to quash speculation it had received a takeover approach from a Swiss investment firm.

Hit Entertainment parted company with its chief executive today after sealing a “transforming deal” giving greater US television coverage to Bob the Builder.

Loveable DIY hero Bob the Builder is to become the new face of British holiday company Butlins, it was announced today.

Bob The Builder is to take on his biggest project to date – by building an entire town from scratch, it was announced today.

Hit Entertainment, the company behind children’s TV favourite Bob the Builder, today unveiled a major relaunch designed to revive the character’s popularity.

Children’s favourite Pingu is waddling back to TV – but could leave fans in a flap with his new voice.

London’s benchmark FTSE 100 Index failed to cement earlier gains today as top flight shares limped across the finishing line at close of trading.

TV favourite Bob the Builder is joining forces with pop superstar Robbie Williams to raise funds for sick children.

Pingu, the playful penguin character, is to be bought by British children’s entertainment firm Hit in a £15.9m deal, it was announced today.

The phenomenal success of Bob the Builder has helped HIT Entertainment secure a record set of results over the last six months of last year.

HIT Entertainment has signed a deal with Fisher Price to make and market pre-school toys based on Barney the Dinosaur.

Bob the Builder has been accused of swearing on a children's video.