THE AA is to buy Halfords' 129 car service centres in a £5.75m deal struck with Halfords' parent company, Boots.

"We will now further develop these centres to offer motorists a quality maintenance and repair service of special interest to AA members," said AA Road Services' chief Roger Wood.

Halfords' retail stores will remain part of Boots and the AA will absorb Halfords' 1,200 garage staff.

Halfords' managing director Rod Scribbins said: "This is a good deal for customers, staff and shareholders. We have been seeking to improve the performance of our garage chain in a very competitive market."

Now owned by the British Gas company Centrica, the AA has more than 11 million members.