The long running battle for control of United Biscuits hotted up this week with reports that the two consortia fighting over UB were seeking a "compromise" bid worth £1.3bn. Finalrealm, a group comprisingFrench food group Danone and three financial buyers, is believed to have held discusssions about a joint bid with rivals Burlington, made up from US company Nabisco and Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst. A marriage of this nature would face several hurdles, not least probable intervention by the UK Takeover Panel, which imposes tough restrictions on so-called concert parties. {{NEWS }}