The acquisition takes the total number of pubs in the Punch estate to 4,517 and the number of pubs bought since August 2002 to 245.

Punch’s announcement comes on the eve of the publication of its first interim results since floating on the London Stock Exchange in May last year. The group is expected to report profits of more than £50m.

The acquisition takes the total number of pubs in the Punch estate to 4,517 and the number of pubs bought since August 2002 to 245.

Punch’s announcement comes on the eve of the publication of its first interim results since floating on the London Stock Exchange in May last year. The group is expected to report profits of more than £50m.