Companies awarded five-year preferred status for printing services include Northampton-based Belmont Press, B&B Press of Rotherham, Elland-based Pillings Print, Readings Maurice Payne and Newnorth of Kempston.

Those contracted to provide design and print services include Leeds Corporate Document Services, Astron of Huntingdon, Seabury Salmon & Associates in Shropshire, Status Design and Advertising in Spalding, Hayley Sharpe of Leicester, Media Partners in Durham and The Printing Place of Chelmsford.

"A key consideration was suppliers understanding and awareness of environmental issues. They had to have a written policy in place," said a spokesman for English Nature.

The Printing Place sales and marketing executive David Smith said the 30-staff firm expected run lengths of between 10,000 to 20,000. "One of the things that most impressed them was our management principles we are responsible for our waste management," he added.

Story by John Davies