Ernst & Young is understood to have placed Remnant Media, the publisher of porn magazines, on the shortlist of those looking to buy titles from Highbury House.

The Big Four firm is organising the sale of 30 gaming, technology, entertainment and specialist-interest titles from Highbury, and has whittled the bidders down to two, according to The Times.

Remnant, which recently bought 40 porn titles from Daily Express owner Richard Desmond - including Asian Babes and Readers Wives – is in the running for titles such as lads mag Front. Bournemouth-based Imagine Publishing, whose deal is backed by Kleinwort Capital is believed to be its main rival.

It is thought that the titles will be sold for a price above the £5m mark.