UPDATE 1-Debenhams buys Danish chain for 12 mln stg

* Buys Magasin for 12.3 mln stg

* Sees deal as "highly accretive"

* Shares down 0.6 pct

(Adds detail, shares)

LONDON, Nov 12 (Reuters) - British department stores group Debenhams (DEB.L) said on Thursday it was buying Danish chain Wessell & Vett Magasin du Nord from Magillum for about 12.3 million pounds ($20.4 million).

Debenhams said the 141-year-old Magasin, which trades from six stores, serves about 20 million customers a year, and had a turnover of about 229 million pounds in the year to Feb. 28 2009.

Chief Executive Rob Templeman said the deal would be "highly accretive" for Debenhams' shareholders.

"We are pleased to add Magasin to the Debenhams group and believe that the close fit between the two businesses will be mutually beneficial," he said.

"The success of our international business demonstrates that there is demand for our own bought and Designer brands outside our home market which we believe will complement Magasin's existing brands."

Debenhams trades from 157 stores in the UK and Ireland and 52 international franchise stores in 17 countries.

Last month the firm posted a 14 percent rise in full-year profit. [ID:nLL67265]

Shares in Debenhams were down 0.6 percent at 81.6 pence at 0806 GMT, valuing the business at 1.04 billion pounds. (Reporting by James Davey, Editing by Mark Potter)