PRONTAPRINT York, based in Clifton Moor, York, has won a company award for being "new franchise of the year 2006".

It is one of 174 franchises associated with the Prontaprint network across the UK and offers clients, including national retailers, solicitors and hoteliers, high-quality digital print, personalised mailings, large format banners and specialised canvas prints.

The franchise was set up a year ago by Peter McFarlane, originally a sales manager for pharmaceutical company Pfizer, who gave up 13 years of selling medicines to be his own boss.

After impressive six-month sales figures, Peter decided to expand his business into new markets and invested £250,000 in a digital seven colour printer, one of only 350 in the whole of the UK throughout Prontaprint.

Mr McFarlane said: "To win this award was truly fantastic news for me and my staff. It is a reflection of the fresh approach we have brought to the print industry. We have focused on adding customer value through improved service and design."

He said his was the first franchise in the whole of Prontaprint to get the revolutionary printer, "so as you can imagine the company is very proud of our new operation and I am sure they will be watching us closely".

Updated: 10:48 Monday, May 22, 2006