Dec 12 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories in the Financial Times. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

Headlines

- UK oil and gas licensing faces legal challenge from environment groups

- UK pharmacies say they are being forced to dispense Strep A antibiotics at a loss

- High street clothing retailer M&Co enters administration

- Ministers prepare to send in army as Christmas strike misery looms

Overview

- Environmental group Greenpeace has started legal proceedings against the UK government in a bid to the stop the award of more than 100 new licences to explore for oil and gas in the North Sea.

- Pharmacies in the UK say they are being forced to dispense antibiotics to treat Strep A infection at a steep loss because of soaring wholesale prices, as health chiefs denied that there were shortages.

- Scottish clothing company M&Co has become the latest in a string of high street retailers to enter administration, putting nearly 2,000 jobs at risk, after being hit by rising costs and a drop-off in demand.

- Ministers will this week finalise plans to send in the army to drive ambulances and staff borders at airports, as a wave of public sector strikes threatens to bring massive Christmas disruption to Britain. (Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom)