Aukett Group, the only architect quoted on the London stock exchange, has announced that architect SMC Group has dropped plans to take it over.

Aukett said in a statement to the stock exchange last Friday that although it had told shareholders on 8 March that it had received an approach from SMC, limited discussions had taken place since, and talks had now been terminated.

Aukett is still proposing to buy rival Fitzroy Robinson. The company suspended its shares in December after being forced to announce the proposed deal because of press speculation.

If shareholders vote in favour of the deal, the merged company will be called Aukett Fitzroy Robinson.

Last week, Aukett reported a pre-tax loss of 拢1.2m for the year ended 30 September 2004, on a turnover of 拢11.8m.