THE BOARD of British recruitment company Imprint yesterday recommended a 115 pence-a-share bid from Cork-based Premier Group.

The recommendation was made subject to the Takeover Panel allowing the Irish business to execute its £42.5 million all-cash offer by way of a scheme of arrangement, which requires court approval.

Executing the deal in this way would save Premier, which is headed by Kerryman Pat Fitzgerald, having to pay stamp duty costs.

"The board recommends that Imprint shareholders support and vote in favour of the Premier Proposal," a statement from Imprint said yesterday.

Imprint is the subject of three offers - the others having been made by Hydrogen Group and OPD.

Hydrogen's stock-swap bid valued Imprint at about 103.6 pence a share and had been recommended by the company's board until last week.

An egm and court meetings that were scheduled to be held tomorrow to vote on Hydrogen's offer have been cancelled.

Hydrogen said yesterday it was considering its position.

OPD, meanwhile, has offered five OPD shares for every 14 Imprint ones, plus 36.75 pence in cash. It has also offered a full cash alternative of 93 pence for every Imprint share.