Abstract: A carton of the top gripping type comprising a plurality of main panels for forming a top wall (20), side walls (14, 18) and a bottom wall (16). The carton further comprising container receiving apertures (70a, 70b, 70c, 70d) formed in rows in the bottom wall for accommodating the bottles (C) held within the carton. The carton further comprising retaining structure for retaining the bottles within each aperture and an arrangement for urging the upper portions of the bottles held in one row to towards the upper portions of the bottles held in an adjacent row. The carton further comprising spacer (40, 90) provided to maintain the upper portions of the rows of bottles in spaced relationship and provided to counteract the displacement of the bottles due to the retaining structure such that a tensioned arrangement is provided in which the bottles are held and restricted from moving relative to one another.