SSL International pledged to concentrate on its recovery, despite becoming the subject of takeover talks.

The group, which yesterday revealed it was in talks about a potential takeover, told shareholders that it was "business as usual".

Speaking at the company's annual meeting, chairman Ian Martin said: "As always, the interests of shareholders are at the front of our minds. In all other respects, it is business as usual for the management team - the last thing you would want is for us to be distracted from running the business."

The group, whose brands include Scholl footcare products produced in Peterlee, County Durham, and Durex condoms, has had a turbulent time since its creation in 1998 from the merger of London International Group with Seton Scholl.