Greencore refuses to give up merger

IRISH food group Greencore said the fight for Northern Foods was "far from over" despite poultry king Ranjit Singh Boparan's 11th-hour bid for the company on Friday.

Northern, which had planned to merge with Greencore, recommended the 342 million offer from Boparan, who owns the Harry Ramsdens chain of fish and chip shops and is one of the biggest chicken suppliers to Tesco and KFC.

Greencore has reportedly hinted that it could return with a higher offer for Northern, which makes Goodfella's pizzas and Fox's biscuits.