Coca-Cola has decided not to sell its C2 brand in the UK, one of the company's biggest markets, raising doubts about the future of the mid- calorie soft drink just six months after its launch in North America and Japan.

The world's biggest soft drinks producer hoped C2, which has half the calories and carbohydrates of regular Coca-Cola, would help stem the flow of health-conscious consumers away from sugary carbonated drinks.