The companys first platesetter was a Polaris 100 back in May 1999, with the Northcliffe Press site in Bristol being used as the test site for sister company Associated Media Bases evaluation of CTP.

This led to the installation of over 30 Agfa Polaris machines in the UK, to output Associated Newspapers Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday titles.

Northcliffe Press west regional managing director Mark Whittaker said the original Polaris 100 had now gone off for a refurb, having produced 6,000 plates per week at its height of production.

Whittaker, whose west region encompasses Bristol, Staverton and Swansea, said once refurbished the Polaris 100 might be installed in Swansea, which is one of three sites still using film.

The latest installations were a mixture of replacement and enhancements of existing systems where plate requirements had expanded, said Whittaker.

The Northcliffe Group is likely to be one of the UK test sites of Agfas N91V violet photopolymer plate.

Story by Andy Scott