THE Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is looking into the acquisition of a Staffordshire bus company by Arriva.

Sunderland-based Arriva, which is now owned by German giant Deutsche Bahn, had expected to complete the takeover of Liyell Ltd, which trades as Midland, at the end of September.

But the OFT said: “The Office of Fair Trading is considering whether this acquisition has resulted in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.”

Midland has a fleet of more than 60 buses.

Anyone concerned about the deal has until October 18 to contact the OFT in writing.