D-Day for Orbital

The company, whose agencies include Stormhoek and Raats in South Africa, Walkers Pass in California, and Camden Park from Australia, went into administration last week, amid rumours of poor sales and too great an emphasis on PR and marketing.

Menzies Corporate Restructuring, the administrator in charge of Orbital's affairs, said that around 20 companies are believed to have shown an interest in taking over the agency role, although no companies have openly admitted making a bid yet.

Both Waitrose and Sainsbury's delisted Stormhoek when it discovered that Orbital had made a deal with Tesco to sell the brand at 4.99, 1 cheaper than its rivals.

And the final straw for Orbital was when The Royal Bank of Scotland refused to extend its overdraft facility, prompting Menzies to be called in.