Pubs and brewing group Marston’s today boosted its premium ale offering after buying Hampshire brewer Ringwood for £19.2m (€28.3m).

Pub and brewery group Marston’s said today its investment plans should help it overcome the impact of the UK-wide smoking ban later in the year.

UK brewery firm Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries stepped up the consolidation of the pub sector today by announcing a £13.7m (€20.2m) offer for a smaller operator.