A DARLINGTON print and design company has unexpectedly unearthed a piece of its own history from the First World War.

MT Print discovered a letter dated December 30, 1916, in which the company’s original owners – WE Mawer and E Stobart – announced the closure of the company, then called Electric Press, for the duration of the war.

It explained that the entire staff were “either with the colours, about to join up or on munitions” and asked for all bills to be paid so Mr Mawer could settle all the business affairs and dissolve the partnership before he too joined up on January 14, 1917.

The letter said: “We trust that you will extend your support to Mr Mawer (if spared) on his return from Active Service as previously given to us.”

Mr Mawer did return from the war and re-opened the printers in 1918, eventually passing it on to his two sons.

Today MT Print is in Whessoe Road just a mile from the original printing site in Leadenhall Street. It is run by directors Phil Harburn and Phil Evans.