Checkprint Solutions, which was installed in three days, is based on the companys in-house software linked to a laser printer.

Checkprints business development manager, Software Solutions, Rob Cox, said: Unlike a lot of systems this is very flexible and allows multiple file formats to be uploaded. Its very stable.

Churchill Insurances finance director, Steve Hardy, said Checkprint had provided excellent training and support throughout the installation. It will print around 1.2m cheques a year but has the capacity to produce multiple millions.

Cox said the system had led to a number of recent contract wins including Derbyshire Police Authority, HFC and Nationwide Building Society.

Checkprint Solutions was developed by Checkprints sister company, TALL Security Print in Runcorn.

The group employs 150 and has a turnover of around 8m.

(*) Checkprint is one of five finalists to at next months National Business Awards for Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year 2003.