UPDATE 1-Minerva continues debt talks

* Focus on ensuring a sound financial platform in place

* Shares up 8 pct (Adds details)

July 10 (Reuters) - UK property group Minerva Plc (MNR.L) said it continued debt negotiations with its banks, and its shares were trading up 8 percent.

In a statement, the company said it remained focussed on ensuring that there was a sound financial platform in place.

Minerva shares were trading up 8 percent at 14 pence by 1410 GMT on the London Stock Exchange. (Reporting by Purwa Naveen Raman in Bangalore; Editing by Anne Pallivathuckal)