THE corporate finance team of management consultancy firm KPMG in Southampton has advised Dorsetbased brewer Hall & Woodhouse on the £5.5m sale of its well-known Popzone range of Panda drinks to Nichols.

Disposal of the brand portfolio follows the company's decision to pull out of soft drinks production.

Andrew Hodgson and Mark Aitchison led the KPMG advisory team, completing the deal within four months and enabling Hall & Woodhouse to focus on its core operations.

The Vimto Soft Drinks Division of Nichols will take over the sales and marketing of the Popzone range.