The company has issued a statutory 90-day notice, and will now begin a consultation period with its employees' representatives.

The move has been widely expected, as the Associated work will begin transferring to Polestar's new Sheffield gravure plant next spring.

In a statement Quebecor World said: "Quebecor World remains committed to the UK market and will continue to provide its customers with the highest level of service. The company will have no further comment on the extent of the workforce reductions until it has concluded discussions with its employees' representatives."

Sources close to the company suggested that  the downsizing would result in around 300 job losses at the 84m turnover business, which currently employs just under 800 staff.

As well as the redundancies, the restructuring is also likely to result in presses being mothballed while Quebecor endeavours to secure new contracts for the plant.

See earlier stories Quebecor plans UK fightback and Associated titles move to Polestar.