Elliott Baxter operations director Matt Elliott said the acquisition was part of a strategy to move into the office supplies market.

"This announcement demonstrates the directors' desire to keep EBB Paper moving forward purposefully and be at the forefront of paper supply in the UK," he added.

Denian Office founders Ray Green and Martyn Sunderland, who set up the business 34 years ago, will now help with the integration of the two businesses.

Family-run Elliott Baxter, which this year celebrates its 90^th year in business, has ten regional sales offices and distribution centres around Britain and a projected turnover this year of £100m.

Last year it opened a Bristol sales and distribution centre, which can store up to 1,800 tonnes, while in December 2010 it expanded its operations in the north with the opening of a storage and distribution branch in Newcastle.