London: The 50,000 Pounds Booker Prize, for decades confined to novels written in English, could be extended to foreign-language books, according to its new sponsor. "There is a possibility of a foreign-language prize or the translations of foreign-language books into English being included on the Bookers shortlist," Harvey McGrath, chairman of the Booker`s new sponsor, city-based alternative investment broker the Man Group told reporters here on Saturday night.

Plans are under way to include translations of titles from around the globe in future shortlists in an effort to widen the profile of Britain`s premier literary award. An alternative is to create a new offshoot of the main prize, geared solely to foreign-language novels.

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However, a "Booker America" was more likely in the short term. McGrath confirmed that a working group had been set up by the trustees of the 34-year old prize to discuss extending future shortlists to cover US authors.

News of the proposal comes on the eve of this year`s award ceremony. They are bound to re-ignite controversy over ongoing plans to expand the Booker, which currently covers Britain and the Commonwealth across the English-speaking world, including America. Bureau Report