ENTERTAINMENT group Chorion is planning to buy the business behind the Mr Men for £28m.

It hopes to acquire The Hargreaves Organisation and Mister Films, which together own the rights to the Mr Men.

The purchase would lead to characters including Mr Happy, Mr Tickle and Little Miss Naughty joining the Chorion stable, which already includes Noddy, Big Ears and the Famous Five.

Chorion said it was planning ''a complete reinvigoration and internationalisation'' of the Mr Men.

By the close of trading, Chorion shares had climbed 7p, or three per cent, to 213p.