A MEALS-on-wheels firm has been awarded with one of the highest accolades in the business world.

The Queen's Award for Enterprise, innovation category, has been given to Trowbridge company apetito.

Chief executive Paul Freeston said: "Winning the award is fantastic news for the company. It reinforces the fact that apetito is driving this sector forward.

"We have simply changed the face of meals on wheels, which in turn has changed the lives of many consumers."

The judges were impressed by Chefmobil, the company's heating and delivery system, its online service, which provides nutritional information on its products, and MikroFix, a pre-programmed microwave that aids users and their carers.

The firm employs 600 people at its Canal Road headquarters and its retail division, Wiltshire Farm Foods, is the number one supplier of frozen ready meals direct to UK homes, offering a range of 180 dishes. The company provides a private home meals service for those not entitled to meals on wheels.

In the past eight years more than £10m has been invested in the Trowbridge site, expanding the business and improving facilities and the working environment for employees.