The company runs the Digital Newspaper Network, a worldwide digital printing network whereby newspapers can be printed in foreign countries on the day of publication.

London-based Stroma is Oce's UK base, but graphic arts programme manager Paul Krisson said that it wasn't concentrating its efforts on adding more UK locations.

He explained: "Our focus has turned to the domestic regional printing market. There is obviously a pressure point in that market place and clearly they are struggling for revenue and for circulation. We have been discussing the options for micro-zoning."

Krisson said that a recent event in Europe on micro-zoning attracted 10 UK regional publishers, who wanted to discuss the possibilities for reintroducing a locally focused element to their publications.

He added: "In recent years the drop in revenue has meant that the number of localised pages has been cut in order to make printing more cost effective. This has meant that the reader gets less value from the newspaper.

"The concept a lot of local publishers are looking at is printing local sections seperately and combining them with the traditional newspaper. We are not suggesting that digitally printed newspapers will replace litho, but it certainly complements it.

"As well as giving the reader better value and a more targeted product, the publisher can benefit from better rates. An advertising slot that would perhaps go for £100 would only go for say £25 but it can be sold eight times."