Printing firm Baxter is axing 35 jobs by shutting down its operation in Lewes.

The closure brings an end to 200 years of printing in the town.

The firm is relocating to Mitcham, Surrey, in June to be closer its parent company Fulmar PLC.

The move has angered workers who claim bosses have broken their promise to reinvest in Lewes.

The Baxter workforce, which is spread over two sites at School Hill and the Phoenix Industrial estate, was meeting union representatives today.

John Bunn, mid-southern branch secretary of the Graphical Paper and Media Union, said: "When Baxters was sold to the Fulmar group five years ago the company promised there would be reinvestment in print and pre-press and that the two Lewes sites would relocate to one site in the Lewes area.

"It has reneged on that promise.

"Workers are angry that the relocation is to Mitcham and that the company is not offering any help with moving or relocation expenses.

"These are quality jobs and the redundancy terms discussed so far are appalling.

"Fulmar should be ashamed of the way it is treating people."

Simon Baker, managing director of Baxters, said half the Lewes staff would be offered jobs at Mitcham.

He said: "There will be 35 redundancies which we regret having to make.

"It is a real wrench to have to leave a lovely town and sad to have to lose staff that have been loyal, responsible and happy.

"I would be delighted to move into a factory in a local environment but unfortunately the numbers don't add up.

"The print industry generally is not in a good state and we have been unable to make a profit.

"We are neither in the niche market or a major player and medium-size companies like ours are more threatened."

Mr Baker agreed Baxters and its parent company Fulmar had partly reneged on the promise to reinvest in Lewes.

He said: "We have invested £2.75 million in print, pre-press and binding equipment but when the facts change, one's opinion changes."

Lewes District Council leader Ann De Vecchi said the closure was very bad news for employment prospects in Lewes and a sad day for the town.

Baxter was founded on School Hill in 1802 by John Baxter.

His son George was a pioneer of colour printing.