BRITVIC Soft Drinks, which is controlled by leisure group Bass, has bought Hartlepool-based Orchid Drinks, the producer of health tonics Purdey's and Aqua Libra.

Stephen Davies, Britvic's managing director, said: "This investment captures a portfolio of brands which, when combined with the existing brands of Tango, Robinsons and Pepsi, creates a choice for the consumer which is second to none within the UK's leading soft drinks companies."

Britvic produces the Pepsi brand under licence in the UK and owns the Robinsons and Tango brands.

Orchid Drinks, which employs 80 staff, has been one of the success stories of the North-East since it was formed in a management buy-out eight years ago.

It produces a range of lifestyle drinks including Ame, Norfolk Punch and Duchy Originals drinks.

Rob Shotton, chairman of Orchid, explained the reasons for selling Orchid.

He said: "In the past eight years, we have succeeded in building a first-class company with vibrant brands.

"However, as brands get bigger, the resources needed to ensure their success also get bigger, and it became clear that we needed the backing of a larger company to realise their full potential.

"Britvic Soft Drinks has not just the resource, but also the expertise and passion to take Orchid's brands to the next stage."

Mr Davies added: "The Orchid range complements the existing Britvic portfolio and gives the company a stronger presence in one of the fastest growing sectors of the market - adult soft drinks.

"Orchid has enjoyed tremendous success, but their brands have been mainly available through supermarkets.

"Britvic has a strong presence in all areas of the soft drinks market, such as convenience stores and pubs and restaurants and we will be able to make the brands more widely available, ensuring their future development."

Bass did not disclose the amount of the deal, but analysts put a value of around £20m on the company.

Britvic has committed itself to building on the existing strengths of the company and will maintain production at the Hartlepool site.

Britvic is owned by a group of companies, including Allied Domecq and Pepsico, with Bass having the controlling interest.

The deal comes a month after Bass announced the disposal of its brewing division for £2.3bn to Belgian giant Interbrew.

The deal gave Interbrew ownership of Bass's market-leading lager Carling, along with Worthington bitter, Bass Ale and Caffrey's. Bass owns, operates or franchises more than 2,900 hotels and around 3,000 pubs