Watchdogs are examining the takeover deal

Sky said its �125m ($248.3m) offer would now close on 4 September, after revealing it had received acceptances for almost 86% of Amstrad's stock.

UK watchdogs are now scrutinising the deal to see whether competition in the TV technology market will be affected.

The two already have close links, with Amstrad supplying about 30% of Sky's pay-TV set-top boxes last year.

By buying Amstrad, a computer and electronic hardware firm, Sky would be getting its hands on an in-house capability to design and develop products vital to its customers.

Sky is the largest pay-TV operator in the UK, with more than 8.6 million subscribers.