United Kingdom: Danish brewing force Carlsberg has succeeded in avoiding a strike at its main UK brewery in Northampton after reaching a one-year deal with workers that will prevent disruptions to beer supplies in the run-up to Christmas.

Carlsberg UK and the Transport and General Workers� Union agreed to a one-year deal, which includes a package of more flexible working practices, just ahead of a scheduled 16-day stoppage that could have prompted the brewer to import supplies. The dispute had focused on introducing the new working practices in exchange for higher pay, but union members had threatened two strikes, with the first in December and another in January, Business Scotsman said.

The Danish group�s other UK brewery, in Leeds, recently reached a similar deal.

Carlsberg�s two British breweries produce around 5 million barrels of beer a year, giving it a 12 % share of the UK market.