CHORLEY tycoon Trevor Hemmings is on the verge of buying back Eccleston-based Pontins holiday centres.

The multi-million pound deal with Manor Parcs is expected to be clinched by the end of this month.

Mr Hemmings, head of the Manor Parcs chain of leisure centres, led a management buy out of Pontins and became its chairman before the firm was sold to Scottish and Newcastle more than a decade ago.

The brewery giant now wants to dispose of the firm to concentrate on other parts of its business.

An announcement about the deal was made at Scottish and Newcastle's annual general meeting last week. A spokesperson for Scottish and Newcastle said: "We are in exclusive discussions with Manor Parcs Limited which is owned by the family interests of Trevor Hemmings.

"And those are likely to lead to the sale of Pontins Limited which includes eight family centres and its head office in Chorley."

She added that the deal was likely to be concluded by the end of this month.

Scottish and Newcastle said it was disposing of its entire leisure interests, which include Pontins and Centre Parcs, and focusing on its international development of beer interests -- it acquired Kronenbourg earlier this year -- and expansion of retail interests in the UK.

More than 360 pubs were bought by Chorley's Pub Estate Company -- owned by the Hemmings' TJH Group -- from Scottish and Newcastle this year.

And the entrepreneur's company acquired Blackpool Tower, plus other attractions at the resort, just a couple of years ago.