A catering supplier has revealed it is in exclusive talks with Nestlé about buying a frozen food business.

Brakes Group, based in Ashford, has emerged as the frontrunner to acquire Davigel from the Swiss food giant.

Nestlé is said to have put the firm up for sale – which supplies frozen meals to restaurants and hospitals across France – as part of a drive to sell off brands which are not part of its core business.

The financial details of the talks have not been disclosed but it has been reported the value could be as much as €300 million (£216 million).

Brakes, which supplies food and other services to catering firms in the UK and Europe, said the acquisition would increase its presence in France and position it to enter Belgium and Spain.

It would also give the company the exclusive rights to distribute Nestlé’s branded ice cream to the out of home market in France.

Brakes Group chief executive Ken McMeikan said: “This acquisition would be an excellent fit with the Brakes Group. We have long admired the Davigel business, its food manufacturing capabilities and Nestlé branded ice cream distribution.

“This would be another important step to continuing the strong growth of Brakes Group and building on our position as a leading European foodservice provider.”

Brakes employs more than 10,000 people at over 80 locations and has an annual turnover over £2.6 billion.