BOYNE Valley Foods has acquired the Irish division of British food group Premier Foods for €41.4 million.

Premier Foods today said it was in advanced talks with two parties over the sale of its meat-free food range Quorn.

London’s FTSE 100 Index was on the front foot today as traders dusted themselves down after yesterday’s heavy fall.

The maker of Mr Kipling cakes and Bisto gravy will be valued at up to £975m (€1.4bn) when it floats on the London stock market, it emerged today.

The maker of Mr Kipling cakes and Paxo stuffing kicked off plans today for a flotation that could value it at more than £1bn (€1.5bn).