Ipswich-based Calver Press, which printed a range of products including leaflets, letters and calendars, was forced to close due to the rise in home printing and the poor economic climate, which owner Keith Gostling implied had adversely affected print spends.

Gostling told Archant regional newspaper the Evening Star: "Very simply, modern offices and technology completely eliminates the demand for print. In the space of five years or so people have started doing it on their computer.

"And now this year, with the apparent recession, people are seeing how they can save money and I can't say I blame them."

Calver Press, which was founded in 1865, ceased trading on Friday 22 August, although the company's six staff will be finishing work in progress until this Friday (29 August), after which they will all be made redundant.

Gostling said: "I am quite sad at the demise of the print industry. I had to sign the closure notice and tell people they were being made redundant and I am not very happy about it.

"Very simply modern offices and technology completely eliminates the demand for print," he added.