"We have grown in size by 20% over the past two years, and clearly if that carries on, we will look to expand," said chief executive Ian Foyster.

The book printer was "growing rapidly", he said.

Foyster said 12m-turnover Clowes had put in an application to Waveney Council for planning permission, but had no immediate plans to expand the print site at Ellough "unless it becomes necessary".

The firm is expected to boost the 170-strong team by 30 in the coming months.

He said plans were in place to increase the Beccles-based printer's current weekly output of 1m books by 50%, with 350,000 worth of bindery upgrades on order.

Foyster said reference books and directories were still providing business, as well as the consumer market.

"We are bucking the trend. We lost our way and lots of market share went overseas. We had to re-position ourselves, which we have done via investment, the new factory, but also providing a service that is second to none."

New investment plans were completed last week, following 250,000 from private investor and board member Mike Cross of Micropress Printers, to be mirrored by a European investment fund.