Coke buys stake in Innocent Smoothies

Innocent, the British "smoothie" drink famed for its ethical ethos, has sold a £30m stake in it's business to Coca-Cola. They have said that it's "socially and environmentally-aware" status will not be affected and that the investment buy Coke will allow them to expand further into Europe by providing funds and getting the product out to more people in more places.

Facts about Innocent

• Set up in 1999 by 3 friends who spent £500 of fruit, turned it into smoothies and sold them at a small London music festival
• Employs 275 people
• Turnover of £100m
• Sells 2 million smoothies per week
• Supplies retailers as far afield as Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and Austria