A group launched a bid for Britain’s Fleet Holdings.

The $312-million bid by United Newspapers, which publishes regional newspapers and the humorous weekly Punch, was being fiercely resisted by Fleet Holdings, the owners of Express newspapers. Ownership of three national newspapers, the Daily Express, Sunday Express and Daily Star, is at stake in the battle. Fleet Holdings bought the Express group in 1977 from Max Aitken, son of Lord Beaverbrook, one of Britain’s most powerful press barons. United began stalking Fleet early this year, and the United camp now holds a stake of about 23.5%.