Harlow Printing Limited has begun a £200,000 investment programme after securing a £25,000 Enterprise Grant from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The South Shields company plans to invest in the most advanced Internet print process available as a result of the grant.

Harlow produces printed material for the National Health Service, Government departments and private sector industries. The new system will enable its healthcare clients to operate a "print-in-time" system under which a product is ordered, printed and delivered in smaller volumes, thus cutting out expensive storage costs.

The investment will also enable Harlows to improve its facilities and stock management capabilities.

The move safeguards work for 80 staff within the company and there are plans to create eight jobs as business expands.

Gordon Parfitt, commercial director, said: "The new IT system will transform how we work and ensure we operate one of the most up-to-date printing plants in our field.

"The investment will secure jobs and lay the foundations for growth in the future."

Harlow Printing secured funding from the DTI with the help of South Tyneside business development agency TEDCO, which managed the grant application through its Outreach Programme.