FIFTY new jobs will be created in Thirsk this month when one of the UK's fastest-growing book publishing and printing companies opens new premises.

Stratus Holdings plc are opening a 15,000 sqft digital printing facility and office accommodation on Thirsk industrial park.

The business will move from smaller premises on the industrial park, to the new facility, where it will be able to increase its printing capacity to more that two million books a year.

Stratus publishes books by many well-known authors including Neville Shute, Desmond Bagley and G K Chesterton, and the firm's innovative approach allows books to be printed to demand, removing the cost and risk associated with large print runs.

Its book are sold through its own website, as well as supplying high street retailers such as Waterstones and W H Smiths.

Severfield-Reeve Projects designed and built the new premises, which feature a large open-plan printing production area with sophisticated air conditioning designed to cope with a modern IBM printing system.

Mr David Lane, Stratus chief executive, said: "We are extremely pleased with our new facility from Severfield-Reeve Projects, which will enable us to increase production and capitalise on growing demand driven by our innovative approach to publishing."

He added: "Construction of the new facility has gone very well with progress on site virtually unaffected by the terrible autumn weather and flooding."