Deals Of The Week

Deal with the most toys: City firm Macfarlanes advised publishing group DC Thomson and City firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer advised Rhone Capital in the 62 million acquisition of the Early Learning Centre children's store chain by their joint venture vehicle, Eagle Retail Investments, from 3i and management.

Early Learning Centre's shareholders were advised by City firm Dechert, with Osborne Clarke advising 3i.

Anglo-Scottish firm Dickson Minto advised debt finance provider Bank of Scotland.

Most idyllic deal: Newcastle-based Dickinson Dees advised the Grainger Trust, Britain's largest quoted residential landlord, on the acquisition of 15 of 17 homes for sale in the village of Gittisham in Devon.

Richard Marker, who owned and controlled the entire village, which dates back to Saxon times, had served notice on his tenants.

Devon firm Foot Anstey Sargent advised Mr Marker.

Most secure deal: City firm Charles Russell advised Canaccord Capital Europe and Durlacher as joint brokers on the largest Alternative Investment Market listing so far this year, the 250 million flotation of NETeller.

The company is an on-line money transfer service that provides a secure means of transferring funds worldwide.

City firm Berwin Leighton Paisner and Isle of Man firm Cains advised NETeller.

Most physical deal: City firm CMS Cameron McKenna advised the Department of Trade and Industry on the re-tender of the management and operation of the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington, Middlesex.

The new contract with Serco Group is worth 500 million over ten years.

The London office of US firm Kilpatrick Stockton advised Serco.

Longest deal: The Liverpool office of north-west firm Brabners Chaffe Street advised the management of hose manufacturer Dantec on a buy-out of the business for an undisclosed amount.

Dantec manufactures hoses for the chemical, gas and petroleum industries, and also supplies refuelling hoses for teams in Formula One.

Wirral-based firm DP Roberts Hughes & Denye advised the vendor, Dan Davis.