The Automobile Association (AA) is buying Halfords car repair business.

The AA - which is a subsidiary of the UK energy and service group Centrica - is paying �5.75m ($8.17m) to buy the business from its current owner Boots.

The 1200 workers currently employed by the centres will transfer to the AA.

The deal does not affect the Halfords high street stores.

The AA is buying all 129 of Halfords garages - the largest independent chain of car repair centres in the UK.

Centrica said the deal would allow the AA to to build on its core strategy of providing essential motoring services for members and other motorists.

"Halfords has established a strong position in this market and the AA will build on this reputation" said Roger Wood, Centrica's Executive Director responsible for AA Road Services.

Nottingham-based Boots has owned both the Halfords stores and car repair centres for over 10 years, but earlier this month suggested it might be willing to sell the business.

Boots says the Halfords brand no longer fits its strategy which is to concentrate on health services in its own stores.