Greencore still mulling possible counter bid for Northern Foods

The battle over Fox's biscuits firm Northern Foods continued to simmer yesterday after the biggest maker of sandwiches for the UK again refused to rule out a bid.

Greencore, which is headquartered in Dublin, said it was still considering its response to a rival 342 million offer from the owner of the Harry Ramsden's fish restaurants. That deal, struck in January, scuppered Greencore's hopes of a merger with Northern.

It has been reported that Greencore, which makes sandwiches and other chilled convenience food for some of the UK's biggest supermarket chains, is working on a possible higher offer backed by private equity.

Northern, also the maker of Goodfella's pizza, agreed a merger with Greencore before switching sides to Boparan, which also owns the Two Sisters chicken processing business.