An unprecedented wave of promotional activity by major soft drinks firms has failed to halt the assault on the UK market by Vimto, its owner said today.

A fizzy drinks brand that has been a favourite with British children for 30 years has been snapped up for £5.5m (€7.9m), it emerged today.

British soft drinks group Nichols today announced plans to offload its food manufacturing arm to focus on selling products such as Vimto and Sunkist.

“ON the eve of his recent sojourn in Europe, President Bush had an unpleasant run-in with a species of creature he had not previously encountered often — a journalist.”