[If Carling is sold] we would want to see it bought by a reputable international brewer and not a venture capitalist

Brian Revell, national officer TGWU

"I have today asked the director general of fair trading to seek suitable undertakings from Interbrew to affect the disposals," she said.

The sale of Carling would allow Interbrew to retain Bass operations in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Interbrew said the government's decision was "good news" as it allowed the company to retain "an important part" of Bass Brewers and strengthen its market presence.

It said it would sell off Carling as soon as possible.

Dutch brewer Heineken is widely viewed as the most likely buyer.

Interbrew shares close up 5.8% 26.98 euros on Tuesday.

Unions concerned

Union officials were less upbeat, concerned that job losses might be on the horizon.

"We have always wanted a solution which would keep Bass Brewers together," said Brian Revell, national officer of the Transport & General Workers Union.

"[If Carling is sold] we would want to see it bought by a reputable international brewer and not a venture capitalist.

"After 10 years of rationalisation in brewing, which has seen over 40 UK breweries closed down, now is the time for stability."

Takeover spree

Interbrew, owner of brands including Stella Artois and Becks, bought the Bass brewing operations last summer as Bass proceeded with its transformation into a hotels firm.

But the addition of Bass brands such as Caffrey's and Tennents to a portfolio already swelled by the purchase of Whitbread's brewery business earlier in the year raised widespread competition concerns.

Following a probe by trade watchdogs at the Competition Commission, the government in January this year ordered the disposal of Bass Brewers.

While Interbrew in May won a reprieve, when the High Court ordered the case to be reconsidered, the ruling was based around a lack of government consultation, rather than the sale order itself.

The Office of Fair Trading in July opened consultation on remedies aimed at reducing Interbrew's share of the UK beer market.

Profits surge

Interbrew two weeks ago reported a 63.9% rise in net profits for the first half of this year to 200m euros (�123m; $178m).

The increase, which included profits from Bass, came following a 68.5% rise in revenues to 3.48bn euros.

Excluding Bass takings, the rise in revenues came in at 34.8%.

Interbrew also owns the Whitbread Brewing Company in the UK, as well as several Belgian beers, including Hoegaarden and Leffe.

Since selling its brewing arm, Bass has renamed itself Six Continents.