THE writing is on the wall for up to 22 jobs at a Hartlebury printing firm, it has been announced.

TPL Loose Leaf is to close its paper over-board ring binders operation in July. The move follows a collapse in the market for partworks, or magazine instalments.

The firm, which is based at Hartlebury Trading Estate, is a division of TPL Printers (UK) Ltd, which employs a total of 263 people at the site.

Company Secretary John Hill said TPL Loose Leaf had "for many years supplied ring binders to Marshall Cavendish Partworks and other commercial customers.

"The reduction in demand for these products has necessitated a review of the future viability of this business. The company has entered into a period of consultation with its 22 employees with the intention of ceasing operations in July 2001."

He said redeployment of some staff into TPL Printers (UK) was currently under review, but he was unable to say how many jobs might be saved.