Getronics, the struggling Dutch computer services company, said takeover talks with an unknown third party had collapsed - the second time in less than a year that the company has been rebuffed by a potential suitor.

The firm was in takeover talks last year with KPN, the Dutch telecoms group, which also broke down. The end of the latest round of buyout talks sent shares in the company tumbling on Wednesday, closing down almost 19 per cent at €5.32.