Albert Fisher receiver KMPG has set a deadline for bids on any of the fallen giant's constituent companies.

More than 80 interested parties have come forward since the mammoth food group hit the wall, but KMPG chiefs have told them to put their money where their mouth is.

Northern Foods is still the frontrunner, although the firm's chief executive Jo Stewart says it wants to cherry-pick the most profitable segments of the behemoth.

And the receivers have admitted they may have to settle for such a deal, even though their primary aim is to sell the entire company to a willing buyer.

Some parts of the behemoth are already beginning to break away from their mother firm.

The US's River Ranch Fresh Foods, which boasts some 800 staffers, has already signed an agreement to purchase itself from its Fisher parent firm.

The failure to sell River Ranch earlier for 78.42 million euros, is said to be behind the decision of Albert Fisher bosses to call in the receivers.