Taliban gunmen have stormed one of Afghanistan’s premier hotels, sparking a five-hour battle that left 19 people dead, including all eight attackers.

UK entrepreneur Hugh Osmond will make a hostile bid for the leisure group Six Continents if his proposed offer is rebuffed, it emerged today.

UK pubs entrepreneur Hugh Osmond is planning a takeover bid for hotels and pubs chain Six Continents, it was confirmed today.

Six Continents - formerly known as Bass - is expected to show the impact of September 11 and the economic slowdown when it reports on Thursday.