Managing director Nigel Tollit told the Lynn News that it will be "business as usual" in West Norfolk following the acquisition by Exacompta Clairfontaine SA, which is based in Paris.

He said that it was Exacompta which had made the first move and approached Tollit and Harvey because it was wanted to establish a presence in the UK.

A statement from Tollit and Harvey said: "This purchase will enable Exacompta to add a UK dimension to its pan-European activities and allow Tollit and Harvey to expand its products and brands into a consolidating global market"

Mr Tollit, who will remain as managing director, said: "We are delighted to have found a family-managed European partner who is keen to work with us to grow our business with the major European players."

He added that Exacompta has a wide range of products and that Tollit and Harvey is keen to add some of them to its product ranges in the UK.