Stanley Morrice, former managing director of Aberness Foods and the McLeish Brothers delicatessen chain, is to join David Sands Ltd as a non-executive director.

Morrice will work for the Scottish convenience store group in an advisory role on a part-time basis. The company has plans for ambitious growth which include a £2m-plus investment in new store openings this year.

Chief executive David Sands said: "I'm delighted that someone of Stanley's calibre is joining our business during such an exciting period of growth. There are very few people within our sector in possession of such wide-ranging experience."

The Scottish delicatessen group Peckham's is expected to take on four of the 10 outlets from the McLeish Brothers chain, which is now in administration. Three more potential buyers are also reportedly interested in individual stores.