The firm, a long-time champion of sustainable printing techniques, was awarded a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the sustainable development category earlier this year.

Uckfield-based Pureprint is one of the major employers in the area, and Lord Lieutenant Peter Field praised the firm's contribution to the county and local community.

He said: "This is a prestigious corporate accolade only bestowed on an elite group of companies. Most companies only win one, it is a fantastic achievement for Pureprint to win three."

Key partners were also at the event, including representatives from paper suppliers GFSmith and Paperlinx, the WWF, the Carbon Neutral Company and Green Futures.

Pureprint sales and marketing director Richard Owers said: "This is a real pleasure and an honour. Many people have been instrumental in our endeavours to turn sustainable printing from a niche product into a mainstream choice and we thank them all for their support."

Uckfield-based Pureprint expanded its operations significantly earlier this month with the acquisition of Bedfordshire-based Abstract. The deal will propel sales to £36m and increases the group’s number of employees to 275.

Picture shows, left to right: Bridget Massey, Pureprint group finance director; Richard Osborne, managing director; Lord Lieutenant Peter Field; chief executive Mark Handford; Deputy Lieutenant Deborah Bedford; and Pureprint marketing director Richard Owers.