The Bungay-based book printer produced 100,000 copies of the latest thriller from best-selling author Tom Clancy, Dead or Alive, the first copies of which were delivered to the Tower of London by the Red Devils paratroopers last week.

A crack team of armed Red Devils skydived into the Tower of London last Monday (6 December) where they handed over the first four copies of the book to Yeoman Warders at the Tower to be guarded overnight in the Yeoman Gaoler's office prior to the 736pp book's official launch the following day (7 December).

Lance Corporal Jimmy Graham, of the Red Devils, said: "We are thrilled to have the rare opportunity to jump into one of our greatest historical landmarks, something which has not been attempted for many years. As fans of Tom Clancy, the Red Devils Freefall Team are honoured to be involved in the launch of Dead or Alive."

Each of the four copies had been signed by the author and was delivered in an aluminium case that also contained a Victorinox Swiss Army knife, an engraved silver bullet and customised Army dog tags.

These four "military editions" will be auctioned off to raise money for the Parachute Regiment charity.

The Tower of London frequently appears in US-born Clancy's novels and he is the sole honorary Yeoman Warder of the Tower, a title he has held for more than 20 years.