Some of Britain’s best- known food brands, including Bird’s custard and Ragu pasta sauce, could reportedly become culinary bedfellows under plans to create a new food giant.

London’s leading shares index struggled to find direction today as downbeat housing data in both China and the US saw the recent upbeat mood stutter.

The UK’s largest food manufacturer Premier Foods has landed a crucial deal to renew more than £1bn (€1.2bn) of loans.

Hovis and Mr Kipling owner Premier Foods will launch a major television advertising push this week after admitting its marketing efforts had failed to keep pace with competitors.

The London market finished the week on a high today as most EU countries agreed to explore plans for a closer union to get to grips with the region’s debt crisis.

The FTSE 100 Index suffered its fifth losing session in a row today as high borrowing costs for Italy and Spain fuelled fears of a eurozone meltdown.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average has risen by 0.3%, although it was held back by the worries over Italy.

The troubled company behind Mr Kipling and Branston pickle today said it had been given extra breathing space by its banks to get its finances in order.

UK investors lost confidence in the prospect of a speedy resolution to the eurozone debt crisis today, causing London's leading share index to drop into the red.

London’s leading index rose for a third day running, but gains were modest as a downgrade of UK banks by a top ratings agency overshadowed a better than expected jobs report in the US.

The UK’s largest food manufacturer today issued a profits warning as it revealed a slump in sales across well-known brands including Hovis.

BSkyB’s on-off takeover saga and renewed fears over the spread of Europe’s debt crisis led to a dramatic session in the City today.

Banks helped lift London's leading index sharply higher today after Lloyds Banking Group boss Antonio Horta-Osorio received backing for his plans to overhaul the taxpayer-controlled bank.

The Bank of England’s latest quarterly inflation report will provide the economic highlight this week, while bookmaker Ladbrokes and retailer Thorntons are among those due to report on the London market.

London's FTSE 100 Index shrugged off concerns in the banking sector today as a buoyant session on Wall Street helped blue chips make gains.

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

Royal Dutch Shell was among those making share gains on the FTSE 100 Index today in a buoyant session for commodity stocks.

Stronger commodity stocks and a results-day boost for Royal Dutch Shell helped lift the London market today.

The chairman of Premier Foods today announced his intention to stand down after six years at the helm of the Mr Kipling-to-Hovis food producer.

A second day of bank share falls held back progress on the London market today and offset trading cheer from Holiday Inn group InterContinental Hotels.

Insurer Aviva lost more than £2bn of its value today as financial stocks took a hammering during another bleak session for the London market.

Insurance firms crashed today after Aviva’s annual results failed to settle nerves in the sector.

The FTSE 100 Index closed in the red for the fifth session in a row today as economic fears and banking losses weighed on the London market.

Lenders to Hovis owner Premier Foods have hired advisers to help push through a speedy reduction in the company’s debt burden, it was reported today.

The London market shrugged off a raft of profit warnings to close 5% ahead today after yet another turbulent week for UK blue chips.

Strong gains for oil and banking stocks saw the FTSE 100 Index make good progress today and close at another two-month high.

Hovis maker Premier Foods today said revenues from bread sales were up 16% after it increased prices to cope with soaring wheat costs.

Branston Pickle firm Premier Foods unveiled plans for the makeover of its entire Hovis range today.

Debt-laden Hovis bread maker Premier Foods secured vital breathing space today as it battles against soaring interest payments and wheat prices.

Hovis bread maker Premier Foods today slashed its final dividend and revealed extra banking facilities to help it cope with rising debt payments and soaring wheat prices.

Strong gains in the mining sector helped the London market regain its poise today after yesterday’s heavy losses.

Shares in Branston Pickle-to-Oxo stock cube firm Premier Foods hit a record low today amid fears over the firm’s debts and soaring wheat costs.

Hovis maker Premier Foods said today it had recovered a large proportion of the “considerable” cost increases faced earlier in its financial year.

The M&S “This is not just food…” commercials have been voted one of the worst ever food and drink adverts in a poll for BBC magazine 'Olive'.

Hovis bread maker Premier Foods said today it was on course to hit annual profit targets – despite a slump in bakery sales.

Kingsmill owner Associated British Foods warned of a further rise in the price of its bread today.

Kellogg’s has beaten Heinz to be named Britain’s biggest-selling grocery brand, figures out today show.

The owner of Branston Pickle stocked up on some of Britain’s best known brands after agreeing the £1.2bn (€1.8bn) takeover of Hovis owner RHM today.

Hovis and Mr Kipling firm RHM today backed a £1.2bn (€1.8bn) takeover by Branston Pickle owner Premier Foods.

Friends Provident led the FTSE 100 Index into the black today after better-than-expected sales figures.

Hovis-to-Mr Kipling foods group RHM today said that price hikes in its bread division had helped it to a 2% increase in half-year sales.

Foods giant RHM unveiled £5m (€7.2m) of extra marketing today as it prepared to launch new products in its Hovis, Bisto and Sharwood’s ranges.

Interest rate worries showed signs of easing today after the FTSE 100 Index jumped 70 points and investors prepared for a strong start on Wall Street.

Mr Kipling owner RHM today said action to reverse the decline in demand for its cakes had resulted in a much stronger performance in the second half of the financial year.