The ratio of administration and liquidation sales within all mergers and acquisitions has also trebled in the past 12 months, it claimed.

According to R3, the cause is a rise in the number of businesses available to buy at "very low prices".

Research into mergers and acquisitions carried out on behalf of R3 found that during the fourth quarter of 2009, 67 out of 630 deals completed in the UK were insolvency purchases.

Across the entire year, there were 345 acquisitions of "distressed businesses", which the organisation said amounted to one in every eight mergers and acquisitions.

In 2008, just 159 insolvent acquisitions were achieved, accounting for one in 27 of mergers and acquisitions over the course of the year.

Peter Sargent, R3 president, said: "Acquisitions of insolvent businesses have risen significantly and remain high. While pre-pack administrations may account for some of these deals, others will be acquisitions by canny buyers taking the opportunity to pick up bargains while values are low.

"The main reason behind the rise in insolvent deals is the fact that there a lot of businesses available to buy at very low prices, which is great for those looking to buy a business."

R3's research comes at a time when several print businesses have been sold out of administration. Midway Colour Print has already been sold this week, while Sage Print, trading as CTD, is in administration with a sale pending, it was announced today.