China’s Bright Food will take control of breakfast cereal maker Weetabix, beloved by generations of Irish children, in the biggest foreign acquisition by a Chinese food group.

The maker of upmarket Kettle Chips has been sold to a US snack firm after an auction valuing the business at more than £400m (€448m).

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

Premier Foods showed no signs of bid indigestion today after confirming interest in the UK maker of brands such as McVitie’s, Jaffa Cakes and KP.

Sales of Hula-Hoops, Jaffa Cakes and other products made by United Biscuits reached £1.3bn (€1.9bn) in the last year, it emerged today.