The move is part of an aggressive acquisition strategy by the Essex-based litho and digital printer, which has seen it take over five companies in as many years, including Ridge Paper Print, Futura and Tarn Print.

Redlin is taking on all five Hackney staff through a TUPE agreement, which will see The Hackney Press operate under the Redlin Print name, boosting the latter's total headcount to 59.

According to Redlin Print managing director Nick Faint, the acquisition will help the company "ensure sustainability" and maintain customer satisfaction levels.

He added: "This is an important step for Redlin in our strategy for long-term growth.

"Although the economic climate is currently very difficult, Redlin’s strategy to grow through acquisition is still a very important part of our development going forward."

Faint said the company would now concentrate on a seamless transition as The Hackney Press staff move to Redlin's Essex base.

"We were looking for a good tie-up in the current market and there was a great deal of synergy between both companies," Faint said.