New Virgin offer

A RENEWED offer for Virgin Mobile looked imminent after a report said cable company NTL was planning to offer more cash to minority shareholders.

Advisers were reportedly locked in talks about an improved deal which would see Sir Richard Branson accept a lower price for his 72 per cent stake - making more cash available for other investors.

According to the Independent, an improved offer was expected on Friday, although negotiations could carry on into this week.

BBC strike deal

THE threat of strikes by BBC workers over job cuts was delayed after a deal aimed at avoiding compulsory redundancies was announced.

Unions representing journalists and technicians had warned that industrial action was "inevitable" unless the corporation could achieve its target of cutting thousands of jobs by voluntary means.

Talks with BBC director general Mark Thompson ended with an agreement that managers will redouble efforts to minimise compulsory job cuts.

Crisps rescue

A DIVISION of collapsed crisp maker Golden Wonder was snapped up by Irish crisp firm Tayto, saving almost 200 jobs.

Tayto confirmed it had bought the Pringles Mini brand from administrator Kroll and taken over its site in Corby, Northamptonshire, just days after Golden Wonder collapsed. The move will see 195 of Corby's 350 workers stay at the site.