LONDON - Britain's biggest retailer Tesco said on Tuesday it has purchased the Paperchase brand and related intellectual property after the stationery and gifts chain fell into administration.

Tesco will not, however, be taking on Paperchase's more than 100 stores across the United Kingdom and Ireland.

“Paperchase is a well-loved brand by so many, and we’re proud to bring it to Tesco stores across the UK," Jan Marchant, the group's managing director of home and clothing said.

Paperchase entered administration, a form of protection from creditors, after failing to secure a rescue deal.

(Reporting by James Davey; editing by William James)