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Mr Kipling maker Premier Foods has revealed a 拢10m plan to stockpile ingredients ahead of Brexit amid uncertainty about whether Britain will crash out of the EU without a deal.

The group, which is also behind brands such as Oxo and Bisto, said it would shortly begin building up stocks of raw materials as it looks to protect itself from the risk of delays at ports.

Premier disclosed the plans in its half-year results statement as it also revealed it was in talks to sell its Ambrosia custard brand and that under-fire chief executive Gavin Darby was set to step down.

The results - which come after a major shareholder revolt against Mr Darby over the summer - showed Premier sinking to a widening loss for the six months to the end of September.

The statement also saw the group set out how it is planning for Brexit "in the absence of certainty over arrangements for the UK's departure from the EU".

It said: "The group shortly intends to start a process of building stocks of raw materials to protect the company against the risk of delays at ports.

"Potentially this action will cause an adverse movement of up to £10m in working capital."

Mr Darby will step down on 31 January after six years in the role. It follows an AGM revolt in which 41% of investors voted against his re-election.

There had been criticism over his strategy, rejecting a takeover approach from US firm McCormick in 2016 and more recently deciding not to sell its Batchelors brand.

Premier said it had "reflected upon the expressed views of some shareholders at the AGM" and was now "actively looking at strategic options which may accelerate the creation of shareholder value".

Mr Darby said that as part of a decision to focus on growth areas and cut back on debt it was in "discussions with third parties regarding the potential disposal of our Ambrosia brand".

Devon-based Ambrosia, which began as a dried infant milk brand in 1917, pioneered the manufacture of canned rice puddings in the 1930s before expanding into custard in the 1960s.

Premier Foods bought Ambrosia from consumer goods giant Unilever in 2003

Premier revealed that demand for Ambrosia and some of its other products such as Bisto turned cold during the summer heatwave.

Despite this, the company reported a 1.3% rise in revenues to £358m for the six months to 29 September and a 14.3% increase in adjusted pre-tax profit to £30.2m.

But its bottom line was weighed down by growing finance costs leaving it nursing a half-year loss of £2.2m, up from £1.2m a year ago.