The Poole-based printer is owned by highly acquisitive American newspaper group Gannett. Southernprint has been named as a potential suitor for a number of privately owned UK web businesses. However, Clark said he was "no more active now than in the past two years".

"I've always said that we are in the market to expand through acquisition if it is a possibility it's the Newsquest/Gannett way."

"I'm always on the lookout but the market is really not ready for consolidation at the moment," he added.