PRESS DIGEST - British Business press - Feb 24 =6

Fast food chain Eat is believed to be ready to start sounding out potential suitors in the next few months, though it has yet to appoint financial advisers; people close to the situation said, however, that the firm's shareholders, who would take a significant sum in the event of a sale, are likely to do so before long. Founded in 1996 by Niall and Faith MacArthur, Eat has in the region of 90 British outlets. Private equity group Penta Capital acquired 3i's (3IN.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) 42 percent stake in August 2005, during a refinancing of the business.

RIO TINTO DIGS FOR COAL MINE BUYER

Credit Suisse has been appointed by Rio Tinto (RIO.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) to find a suitor for its non-core coal assets, in an exercise that forms part of its $15 billion disposal programme to streamline its operations in the wake of last year's $38 billion Alcan acquisition. Rio, which will only put sites on the market that have reserves considered too small for it to mine in a cost-effective manner, has accelerated the disposal programme following BHP Billiton's (BLT.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) 70 billion pounds hostile bid. Earlier in February this year, it announced its first disposal: Alaska's Greens Creek gold and silver mine.

LSE MOUNTS SOUTH AMERICAN PUSH