ST Tropez, the fake tanning company that bronzes the stars from Victoria Beckham to supermodel Elle MacPherson, is set to be sold to Lloyds TSB for about £70m, it was reported yesterday.

LDC, the bank's private equity division, is expected to sign a deal within a fortnight after fighting off competition from rival bidders such as Phoenix Equity Partners, 'The Times' reported.

Judy Naake, the woman who set up the American company's UK division, is poised to net £15m, the paper said.

The businesswoman, who tans the former Spice girl at home herself, is already thought to be worth £30m after making her fortune selling the self-tanning products.

Read more at http://www.unison.ie/business/stories.php3?ca=80&si=1566065.