SOUTHAMPTON-based mailing house Keywords Direct has merged with Guildford firm Optionsprint with the new outfit to relocate to Southampton.

The merger creates a £3m-turnover company specialising in the mailing and polywrapping business.

Optionsprint is a specialist in laser printing, producing and distributing membership renewal cards and loyalty cards. Its customers include The National Trust and Jet Garages. The merger with Keywords Direct means the new company can now boast three areas of specialism - direct mail, print management and airline ticketing.

Peter Mahoney, managing director of Optionsprint, becomes the managing director of the merged company while David Gebbett, managing director of Keywords Direct, becomes chairman.

Mr Mahoney said: "We had outgrown our existing premises in Guildford and had been trying to relocate for some time in that area without success.

"We contracted Keywords to handle a direct mailing campaign for one of our clients and the rest, as they say, is history.

"The synergy between our two companies is excellent and has led us to relocating from Guildford to Southampton and forming a stronger company that can provide a wide range of services and products and which positions us in the forefront of print and mailing services."

Keywords Direct was established in 1979 originally as a word processing bureau.

Clients include major national companies like Artigiano, P&O, The Folio Society and many large charities as well as established local businesses, mailing anything from 4,000 items to more than 400,000.

Mr Gebbett said: "We are delighted with the merger.

"The two companies fit well together and further strengthen the range of services we can offer to clients."

The newly merged company will continue to trade under the names of Keywords Direct and Optionsprint.