The UK's biggest duckling producer Gressingham Foods has snapped up rival Manor Farm Ducklings for an undisclosed sum. Norfolk-based Manor Farm Ducklings called in administrators FA Simms & Partners last month, after suffering financial difficulties when a collapsed competitor flooded the market with cheap frozen product. Negative publicity also damaged the company when ITV's Tonight with Trevor McDonald showed footage of injured ducks on one of its supplier farms. It previously went into administration in 2004 with debts of about £11m, and was purchased by Norfolk businessman John Buckman.

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