The Co-operative Group has bought a trio of former Netto stores from Asda.

The sale of the stores in County Durham, Manchester and Stanton Hill, Nottinghamshire, is part of the agreement between Asda and the Office of Fair Trading to reduce the Netto estate.

Each store features around 5,000 sq ft of retail space. As part of the deal 42 staff will transfer to The Co-op.

“These stores are a valuable addition to our portfolio and [represent] another important step in our expansion plans,” said David Roberts, property director for The Co-operative Food.