A printing firm which has outgrown its premises in Torpoint has relocated to Saltash and is set for further expansion.

Deltor Communications is planning to take on another five people in the next two years adding to its 20-strong workforce now based at the Saltash Parkway Industrial Estate.

The business, headed by managing director Alan Shannon, has seen steady growth since it was formed in Torpoint in 1976.

Alan said: "I started the business as a one-man band in a small rented cottage in St James Road before moving to Macey Street where we have been for about 22 years.

"The business has now outgrown the premises in Macey Street. We are going forward and need more space. That is the main reason for the move to Saltash.

"Two contributory but much smaller reasons were the difficulties with parking at the Torpoint premises and the problem of access for vehicles making paper deliveries on a steep slope.

"A move has been planned for two years. We have taken all the equipment with us including two presses.

"We had specialist engineers in to dismantle and load the equipment on to lorries. It was then rebuilt in Saltash. The process took a week."

The business has also bought a new five-colour press for use at the 12,000 sq ft unit.

Alan welcomes the fact that English Partnerships, a Government regeneration agency, and the Royal Bank of Scotland have built speculative units in Saltash through a joint venture.

"We had been looking for new premises for some time. The Saltash unit was a good opportunity because of the access to the main road network," said Alan, who runs Deltor Communications with his wife, Caroline, the financial director.

"The unit we purchased was ready to use and we were able to move straight in.

"The move has gone fairly smoothly and has involved working longer hours during a busy period in the run-up to Christmas.

"We are pleased with the move. We think it is the right thing for the company. You can't stand still in business, you need to reinvest and make sure you remain competitive.

"It is also good for the staff because they have better working conditions."

All the staff, who come from Torpoint, Liskeard and Plymouth, have moved to the Saltash unit. New jobs are being created in the areas of printing, print finishing and graphic design.

The business specialises in high quality commercial brochures and leaflets. Among its main customers are Cornwall County Council, Caradon District Council and Toshiba - the firm prints television instruction manuals in several different languages. Other clients include Exeter University and Cornwall College.