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Media group Emap has yet to find a buyer for its business, the company has revealed in a statement.

The publisher of popular magazines Closer, FHM and Heat first put itself up for sale in July, when it announced a review of the group's structure and assets as a result of "various unsolicited proposals" it had received.

Emap said today that the review of its business continued to examine a range of options to maximise shareholder value, including the possibility of the sale or demerger of all of constituent parts of the group.

But stepping up efforts to achieve a sale, Emap confirmed that it wanted suitors interested in acquiring its business-to-business division to consider making a bid for the whole company.

Emap, which also owns London's Magic 105.4 radio station, stressed that "good interest" had been expressed in all parts of its operations by both competitors and private equity groups.

However with a buyer yet to come forward with a takeover bid for the whole firm, Emap confirmed the start of an official offer period for the group.

"The board confirms it has not received any approach to acquire Emap as currently constituted and that the commencement of the offer period is not a consequence of any proposal received to date," the company said.

Emap stressed that the invitation for those interested in its business-to-business operations to consider a takeover of the wider group was being proposed "purely as a possible way of enabling the return of the cash, including the proceeds of any potential disposals, to shareholders in an efficient manner".

Reports suggest that Emap is facing growing competition from the internet, as consumers increasingly shun traditional forms of media for the web.

The company will reports its half-year results on November 13th.