A FAMILY convenience store chain has been bought by the country's largest regional co-operative, United Co-op, in a multi-million pound deal .

All 300 shopfloor employees at Quality Fare, based in Catterick, North Yorkshire, will keep their jobs following the buy-out, United confirmed.

United Co-op, which is based in Rochdale, hopes the purchase, for an undisclosed sum, will give it a foothold in the North-East.

Quality Fare's first shop was opened in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, 35 years ago by the Leathley family.

Quality Fare's 19 stores across the region - in Stokesley, Bedale, Leyburn, Catterick, Caldbergh and Thirsk, all in North Yorkshire, and in Willington, Langley Park, Easington, Esh Winning and Ushaw Moor, all in County Durham, and others in Northumberland, will be rebranded as United Co-op stores.

Philip Horsfield, commercial manager at Quality Fare, said: "The United Co-op have one or two stores in North Yorkshire already and are keen to expand their convenience chain further in the region.

"They have purchased all the share capital from the Leathley family.

"All the store staff jobs are definitely safe, but no decision has yet been made on the head office staff, of which there are about ten or 15."

United's chief executive, Peter Marks, said in April he would embark on an aggressive £100m acquisition campaign.

A spokeswoman for the chain said the purchase of Quality Fare represented a significant part of the £100m.

Mr Marks said: "Quality Fare is a family business whose shops meet our demands and fit our profile perfectly. My message to other retailers in the Midlands and North of England is clear - if your standards are high and you are thinking of selling your business, come and talk to us."

United Co-op now has more than 500 stores in the Midlands, North Wales, North-West, Yorkshire and the North-East.