GOODFELLA’S pizza and Fox’s biscuit firm Northern Foods yesterday said that West Midlands tycoon Ranjit Boparan had requested access to its books amid speculation he is planning a £300m bid.

Mr Boparan – one of Tesco’s biggest chicken suppliers and owner of the Harry Ramsden’s fish and chip shop chains – asked for access to finances in a letter last Friday.

It is thought Mr Boparan is considering gatecrashing Northern’s agreed all-share merger with Irish chilled foods firm Greencore, the UK’s biggest sandwich maker