REPRESENTATIVES from Devizes company Omitec, and Dyson in Malmesbury, met the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at a reception for the winners of the Queen's Awards for Enterprise.

The awards evening was held at Buckingham Palace last Wednesday.

Omitec was recognised in the international trade category. Dyson won its award for innovation.

Omitec designs and manufactures diagnostic equipment and electronic software for the automotive industry.

It has its main manufacturing base at the Hopton Industrial Estate, Devizes, where it employs 110 people and was founded in 1998 after a management buy-out.

Vacuum cleaner manufacturer Dyson employs 1,200 people at its Malmesbury base where its research and development and washing machine manufacture is based.

The company laid off more than 800 workers last year when manufacture of vacuum cleaners moved to Malaysia.

A total of 123 companies in the UK won a Queen's Award for Enterprise including 13 in the South West.

The prestigious awards have been running since 1965.

Winning companies have to demonstrate excellence in one of three categories international trade, innovation and sustainable development.

Jacqui Smith, the Minister of State for Industry and the Regions, attended the Buckingham Palace reception.

She said: "This accolade is not given lightly. Businesses have to demonstrate sustained excellence.

"Previous winners have seen their reputation improve both at home and overseas and a recent survey showed that winning a Queen's Award can boost staff morale by as much as 80 per cent."

The Queen's Award for Enterprise differ from personal honours because they recognise the achievement of the whole workforce.