PHILEAS Fogg owner United Biscuits yesterday bought two brands rescued from troubled crisp maker Golden Wonder.

Northern Ireland-based Tayto acquired Golden Wonder and immediately sold the Wheat Crunchies and Nik Naks brands to United Biscuits.

In a co-manufacturing agreement, the two products will continue to be made at the former Golden Wonder factory in Scunthorpe, which Tayto also bought from administrators in a move expected to save 335 jobs.

United Biscuits, which employs more than 1,000 people across the region, makes Mini Cheddars, McCoys crisps, McVitie's Hob Nobs and Jaffa Cakes.

Managing director of United Biscuits UK Benoit Testard said the cost of the purchase was "not a material sum" but that the brands were strategically significant.

"Nik Naks and Wheat Crunchies are well-loved consumer brands and I am delighted that we will be able to add them to the UK snack portfolio," he said.

United Biscuits paid £24m in 1993 for Derwent Valley Foods, in Consett, County Durham, which makes the Phileas Fogg brand of snacks and employs 175 people.

The company also employs 900 staff at the KP Foods plant in Billingham, Cleveland.

Tayto is retaining other Golden Wonder products made in Scunthorpe, including Golden Skins, Golden Lights and Ringos.

It is understood that management felt that Wheat Crunchies and Nik Naks were better suited to United's deeper advertising pockets.

Golden Wonder went into administration in January. In 2004, it lost £10.8m on sales of £87.8m and "significant" losses were incurred last year.