The Office of Fair Trading has given Interbrew a chance that the company might be able to retain some of the Bass Brewers business bought last year for £2.3bn.

In May a high court judge overturned the Department of Trade and Industry's ruling to sell the whole business, but did invite the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to make recommendations, as the deal would have to be approved by the Competition Commission.

OFT proposals include the option of Interbrew divesting certain Bass brands to 'an international brewer already represented in the UK market' - namely Heineken or Carlsberg-Tetley.

Another proposal would be for Interbrew to retain regional assets such as Bass Brewers in Scotland and Northern Ireland, breweries in Glasgow and Belfast and the Tennent's and Bass Ale brands and to divest the remainder of the UK business.

OFT has invited third parties to comment by 18 July.