Food wholesaler Bestway has saved 2,000 jobs after buying the retail arm of Conviviality in a £7 million deal.

The brands Bargain Booze, Wine Rack and Select Convenience are included in the takeover, which has been reported by IRN.

Bestway has acquired the business through a pre-pack administration process.

It comes hours after Conviviality confirmed it has appointed PwC as administrators.

Last week it announced its intention to go into administration after a string of profit warnings.

Its chief executive Diana Hunter stepped down less than a fortnight previously.

Bargain Booze has franchised branches in Ramsgate, Maidstone, Herne Bay and Sittingbourne.

It is not clear if they will continue to trade under the brand name.

Wine Rack has a store in Bromley.

On Wednesday it was announced that Magners owner C&C had bought the wholesale arm of Conviviality, also through a pre-pack administration.

The process allows companies to cherry-pick parts of businesses to buy at a knock-down price.