COOKERY queen Delia Smith has sold her publishing company for a multi-million pound sum.

The sale of New Crane to Seven Publishing was announced to the company's 70 staff.

Launched by the television chef and her husband Michael Wynn Jones in 1993, New Crane is a consumer and contract publisher.

Under the terms of the sale, Delia Smith, pictured, will become a consultant for Seven Publishing and continue her existing role with Sainsbury's Magazine.