The properties, ranging in size from 0.31 acres to 5.9 acres, are spread through counties Monaghan, Cavan, Louth, Longford and Westmeath, and were disposed of as part of the coop's restructuring programme.

Three stores in Co Cavan have been purchased by the tenants who have operated the properties on a franchise basis for a number of years. These stores will continue to operate as agri-trading outlets.

The remainder of the stores have been purchased by Co Derry-based Heron Limited, a property development firm specialising in the commercial and industrial sectors.

A spokesman for Lakeland Dairies expressed satisfaction that the stores, which represented the company's entire agri-trading portfolio, had achieved well in excess of the guide price and that a substantial number of them were to remain trading. He said the company would now establish alternative outlets for their feedstuffs in the areas where they had traditionally operated stores.

The sale of the Longford stores to a development company is said to have disappointed local farmers who had hoped to group together to purchase the units.