Kidston in buyout talks with US group

CATH Kidston, the handbag and homewares designer beloved of Edinburgh yummy mummies, is said to be in talks to sell her retail empire to American buyout specialist TA Associates.

Kidston, who opened her first store in London's trendy Notting Hill in 1983, could see her firm go for as much 100 million, according to one Sunday newspaper report.

She owns one-third of the company but it is thought that its 40 other shareholders would also be keen to close a deal. The other shareholders came on board when Kidston first sold part of the business in 2003.