Richard Hughes, who had 28 years at Ware, has started up Quantum Bookbinders, alongside two former colleagues, in Clevedon.

The company has bought a secondhand Muller Martini binding line, which runs at around 7,000 sph, and has hot-melt PUR capabilities.

Quantum started up at the end of October with three employees. Hughes said that the company would be looking at a nucleus of five employees.

He added: "My finishing title at Ware was works manager and I felt that it was time to have a go on my own.

"I am delighted to announce that I will be joined by Richard Devaney. Richard himself has 20 years' experience in the book binding trade, and we have worked together for 11 years."