UK video and DVD distributor Prism Leisure has acquired the Odyssey group of companies, distributor of titles including Merchant Ivory's Howards End and Scum.

The acquisition comes hard on the heels of Prism's take-over of home entertainment merchandising operation Music & Video International. The budget trade distributor now boasts a catalogue of more than 1,000 DVD titles, which it sells to outlets such as supermarkets.

'Following the recent purchase of Music & Video International, I felt the next logical step for Prism was a vertical acquisition,' said Geoff Young, Prism chairman. 'This will further strengthen our catalogue and increase the service and range to our core customers.'