TWO local pubs are among 14 which have changed hands in a £6.6 million deal.

Avebury Taverns of Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire has acquired Dr Faux in Blackburn Road, Bolton (the former Brierfield) and the Gamecock Inn, Rochdale Road, Jericho, Bury.

The previous owners, Preston-based Honeycombe Leisure, instructed Christie & Co to make the sale.

There were 12 offers for the group of 14 pubs in Lancashire, Yorkshire and Shrewsbury.

Mr Bryan Wardman, chief executive of Honeycombe Leisure, said proceeds from the deal would be used to reduce the company's debt. Honeycombe now has an estate of 70 pubs.

Mr Peter Cavanagh, North-west regional operations manager for Avebury Taverns, said: "We are delighted to welcome the licensees and staff of the Dr Faux and the Gamecock Inn into the Avebury Taverns fold.

"We are doing everything we can to ensure a seamless transition of ownership and we have started discussions with everyone concerned as part of our overall review.

"Avebury Taverns has a strong track record in continually developing its pub businesses and providing the best quality and best choice for customers."

Avebury is one of the pub companies which emerged in the 1990s to take over the running of pub estates from the major brewers.