But Excelprint managing director Tony Brass said: "They have no claims for contesting our action. It seems that any company can file a counter claim now and get away with it."

Excelprint is seeking to recover 28,000 of unpaid invoices dating from July and September last year.

Brass claimed his company had never received any complaints from Forme while it was producing work for the publisher.

"Our only mistake was to let the debt carry on for so long," he added.

St Albans-based The Manson Group is also seeking to recover an undisclosed sum dating back to January 2001.

"We are now awaiting advice about our next step from our legal advisers," said Manson Group sales and marketing director Neil Wass.

The Manson Group had printed Webspace, Video Age and On Demand until the start of 2001, while Excelprint printed Print and Q&A.

As PrintWeek went to press no one from Forme was available for comment.

Story by Andy Scott