Mediation between the two parties on 28 January failed to bring about a settlement, and Hortons managing director Michael Burrowes said the matter was still in the hands of his lawyers.

They (KBA) keep saying they want to settle, but nothing has been decided as yet. We are still negotiating, he said.

A spokesman for KBA issued a straight no comment on the matter.

The 500,000 five-colour Rapida was installed at Hortons in 2001, but less than six months later Hortons said the press was not working satisfactorily.

Both firms are said to have conducted their own independent technical assessment on the press, which Burrowes said had concluded that the press was not fit for the purpose it was bought for.

At one time Burrowes said an electrician and an engineer were both camped out in Hortons canteen for six weeks in a bid to get the press working properly.

Story by Andy Scott