Book publisher Dorling Kindersley has signalled it may accept a take-over bid following its admission yesterday that it had massively over-ordered Star Wars books. The group, whose chief executive Mr James Middlehurst quit after Monday's profit warning, issued a statement saying it would consider possible take-over offers. No such bid has yet been received and Dorling is pondering other options, such as joint ventures and cash injections from third parties.

The company expects a £25 million sterling (€41 million) loss before tax in the first half of its financial year. Valued on the stock market at £210 million, it printed 13 million Star Wars books in the 18 months up to December 31st, but sold just three million. Its shares crashed by 40 per cent on Monday and fell a further 20p to 2921/2p sterling yesterday.