Chocolate giant, Mars, is set to snap up high-end rival, Hotel Chocolat.

Mars will pay £534m for the retailer, which has stores in Cheltenham and Gloucester, as reported by the BBC.

The band said the deal will help it to "grow further and faster", including overseas.

The company's international expansion has been problematic, with the retailer saying: 'operational supply chain challenges have held us back'.

By partnering with Mars, it aims to grow its international presence, using the bigger company's skills, expertise and capabilities.

Mars said it has no plans to change Hotel Chocolat's recipes or to start selling Mars products in Hotel Chocolat shops.