Merger talks between NTL and Virgin Mobile have "stalled" due to a disagreement over price, according to Reuters.

The wire service cited "people familiar with the matter" in its report. A Telegraph report on Sunday indicated that institutional shareholders in Virgin Mobile had been advised to hold out for a 400p per share purchase price, well over NTL's original 323p per share offer.

It is, however, understood that talks regarding a deal that would enable the merged NTL-Telewest company to use a "Virgin TV" moniker are still ongoing.