Biltcliffe, who has grown Webmart into a £27m turnover company since founding it in 1996, said that a foothold in Australia would provide a springboard for a subsequent launch into Asian markets.

Following a meeting with Joe Kowalewski, national communication and technical services manager for the Print Industries Association of Australia (PIAA), Biltcliffe spoke positively about the prospects for overseas expansion.

"I am very excited about taking the Webmart model to Australia, not least so that we can fly the flag for British innovation abroad and prove that British industry still has something worthwhile to offer," he said.

"There is still so much more that we can do as a business as we continue to grow."

Biltcliffe listed Australia's strong economy and healthy relationships with Singapore and Hong Kong as motivating factors in Webmart's overseas foray.