The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has agreed a deal with Greene King that means its acquisition of Laurel's neighbourhood pubs will not be referred to the competition authorities.

Greene King has agreed to sell 13 pubs in seven local areas where there were concerns over possible monopoly situations.

The buyer or buyers must be approved by the OFT.

OFT executive director Penny Boys said: "These undertakings to sell 13 pubs will address the competition concerns we identified."

Greene King bought Laurel's 432 neighbourhood pubs in July for £654m.

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