The future of book store chain Borders was hanging in the balance today after it emerged the group had applied to appoint administrators.

The British competition watchdog today defied the literary fraternity by ruling that a takeover of bookseller Ottakar’s by HMV would not harm choice or quality.

HMV was today frustrated in its efforts for a quick ruling on whether its £96.4m (€142.7m) offer for Ottakar’s damages competition in the market for books.

Advance Learning, the Galway- based provider of online and interactive IT Training and multimedia products and services has announced the appointment of Fred Perkins as its new chairman of its board of directors.