Go-ahead for Oilfields bid

Premier Consolidated Oilfields received DTI approval for its bid for Pict Petroleum and announced acceptance in respect of over 95 per cent of Pict shares, including the 48.3 per cent held by Amerada Hess, which gave a conditional acceptance of the offer last month.

Slimma, the specialist manufacturer of outsize ladies' dresses, reported increased orders for its new spring and summer range in the first quarter to end December, but trading in the second quarter of its year has been uncertain, Alan Webb, the chairman told shareholders at the company's the annual general meeting.

The company came to the stock market through an introduction in February last year.

The shares shed 1p to 103p