The move will result in the closure of its 22-staff plant in Burgess Hill (formerly Selwood Printing) and the transfer of its equipment, which includes a NexPress 2100 and Xerox machines.

Group operations director Kevin Sarney said consolidation at Frome, which already houses a NexPress following the earlier amalgamation of its repro arm, was necessary due to complexity of the digital work it carries out.

"We produce a number of complex and time-sensitive products and this unit will provide us with the best solution to meet those demands," Sarney said.

Following the announcement Burgess Hill managing director Nick Leesam has resigned and a consultation period with staff has begun. Butler and Tanner was named Digital Printer of the Year at the PrintWeek Awards last month.