Morrison is selling 13 Safeways and one of its own stores

Of the branches being sold, 13 are Safeways stores, and one, in Ripon, North Yorkshire, is a Morrisons.

It said it was disposing of the stores to comply with anti-monopoly conditions set by the Competition Commission.

Sainsbury said it would inherit 2,600 staff and expand its shop space by just over 3%.

Such expansion opportunities "have become increasingly rare, and we're delighted to secure these stores," said Sainsbury's Chief Executive Justin King.

No financial details of the deal were given; Morrisons said the amount was "in line" with its expectations.

It said the book value of the 14 stores - made up of 13 Safeways supermarkets and the first Morrisons outlet - was �110m.

Sainsbury's said the acquisition of the stores would have no impact on its profits in the current financial year.

Most of the stores changing hands are in the North of England and the Midlands.