Former Unilever Bestfoods brand Batchelors may soon be pitched against its ex-paymaster ­ as a direct rival to Pot Noodle. The Campbell Soup Company, new owner of the Batchelors Supernoodle pack portfolio, is considering extending the brand into a potted version. It bought Batchelors last year as part of £600m brand acquisitions from Unilever. A spokesman said: "The company is looking at a wide variety of innovation ideas for the brand and this is one." But he denied reports that a £5m launch had been planned. Unilever spokeswoman Helen Park said "exciting plans" for Pot Noodle, added to the proposed Batchelors version, would help grow the £122m instant hot snack market. {{NEWS }}