Executives from the firm are said to be seeking approval for a new 600m colour printing plant from Rupert Murdoch-owned parent company News Corporation.

The Financial Times claimed that News Corp executives were due to discuss the investment at budget meetings in New York this week.

NI spokeswoman Jane Anderson refused to comment on the report.

She said: "Our position is as it has always been. We are still looking at our options and looking at different ways to develop our product and our equipment, but a decision has not been taken yet."

Story by Josh Brooks