More than 100 staff work at the Kimberley site

Greene King bought the Kimberly firm Hardys and Hansons and more than 200 East Midlands pubs in a �270m deal.

Hardys employed 140 people at its Kimberley plant, and 1,200 people signed a petition opposing the sale.

Senior management at Hardys and Hansons said earlier they would try to impress upon the new owners the value of the existing staff and products.

Shareholder and member of the Nottingham Campaign for Real Ale Andrew Ludlow had opposed the move.

He said: "It's a very sad day. The overall result is that the company will become a part of Greene King.

"What we must now look towards is trying to persuade Greene King that the beers are maintained and the brewing is kept in Nottingham."