In today's headlines, Hill Station plc, an ice cream manufacturer, has raised £720,000 through a new loan stock issue and agreed to buy rival firm Real Ice for some £750,000.

• Private equity firm Cinven has agreed to buy Spanish private healthcare specialist USP Hospitales from Mercapital for €675 million (£462 million).

• Group NBT plc, a domain name and web hosting company, has bought Envisional Solutions, a brand protection services specialist, in a deal that could be worth up to £4 million.

• PR and marketing company Freshwater is to raise up to £4 million on AIM to fund growth and further acquisitions.

• Hill Station plc, an ice cream manufacturer, has raised £720,000 through a new loan stock issue and agreed to buy rival firm Real Ice for some £750,000.

• DCD Media plc is buying three TV production companies - Prospect Pictures, September Holdings and West Park Pictures - for £19.1 million in cash and shares part funded through a placing.

• Pawnbroker Albemarle & Bond Holdings plc is to buy Herbert Brown & Son, an independent jeweller and pawnbroking chain, for more than £30.7 million in cash and shares.

• Building services consultant Foreman Roberts has been bought by its management in a deal backed with £7 million provided by private equity firm NVM.

• Equipment hire services group Speedy Hire plc has continued its acquisition strategy after spending £115 million buying the tool hire business of Hewden Stuart plc.