ABINGDON'S MP Tom Benyon paid a visit in February 1983 to a thriving new printing company in Abingdon – which despite the recession had been inundated with increased orders.

During his tour of inspection the Conservative MP was invited to push the button to start the motion of the £35,000 single-colour electronic printing machine which the company, Thomas Leach and Son, invested in hoping to make it a strong competitor in the field of commercial printing.

At a lunchtime gathering at the 50 year-old company's Ock Street premises, clients, locals and the 30 members of staff were shown the new machine.

Prior to the installation the building had to undergo some work, doors were widened and the floor was strengthened so that the machine would fit and be supported.

The MP said: "You have progressed in the last three years, and with this magnificent new machine, should do even better."