The production company behind Peppa Pig has hailed a strong performance in its family and music divisions as it lines up a slate of new releases.

In a trading update ahead of full-year results, Entertainment One said it was on track to meet management expectations.

Underlying earnings in its family and brands arm, which includes the successful Peppa Pig franchise, were up by over 25 per cent in the year to March 31.

It follows a year in which the brand continued to grow globally, with theme park operator Merlin Entertainments opening two Peppa Pig World of Play centres during the period. Four more are expected to open in the next year.

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PJ Masks, another animated series, also found success with growth of over 40% year on year. The franchise accounts for 37% of family revenues, while Peppa Pig represents 57%.

M Restaurants has been acquired by the company which rescued steak chain Gaucho from administration.

The two brands, which are both headed by M Restaurants founder Martin Williams, will now be brought under one roof.

Banks SC Lowy and Investec formed Lomo Bidco last year to buy out Gaucho after the chain went into administration.

The move saved 750 jobs and put Mr Williams in charge of the brand, of which he had previously been managing director.

German chemicals company Bayer says it detected and averted an alleged cyber attack.

Bayer's in-house cyber-security team said it found signs of malicious software on company systems in early 2018.

The Leverkusen-based company added that there were "no signs of data outflow" and the affected IT systems have since been cleaned.