ONE of the UK's fastest growing book publishing companies is to open a production facility in North Yorkshire, creating 50 jobs.

Stratus Holdings will unveil its digital printing facility and office accommodation at Thirsk Industrial Park later this month.

The latest IBM digital printing equipment will be installed at the 15,000 sq ft premises for Stratus, which is creating new sales opportunities through short print-runs and fast delivery.

Stratus publishes books by many well-known authors, including Neville Shute, Desmond Bagley, Claire Raynor, John Buchan, James Hadley Chase and GK Chesterton.

Its innovative approach means books are printed to demand, removing the costs and risks associated with large print-runs using traditional printing methods.

Stratus sells its books through its own website as well as supplying well-known high street retailers such as WH Smith and Waterstones.

Stratus chief executive David Lane has commissioned Severfield-Reeve Projects to design and build the facility, which features a large open-plan printing production area.

The design enables the business to increase its printing capacity of classic and modern fiction to more than two million books a year, at a rate of 40,000 books per week.

Mr Lane said: "Construction on the new facility has gone very well with progress on site virtually unaffected by the terrible autumn weather and flooding.