THE pioneering spirit of Atherton businesswoman Vicky Mannion has been regally recognised.

Vicky's enterprise and expertise was rewarded when ground breaking travel firm Travel Counsellors received the Queen's Award for Enterprise as part of Her Majesty's birthday celebrations.

Announcing that Travel Counsellors had won the Innovation award, the Queen's Awards Office said it honoured everyone who contributed to the business and recognised "the success and innovative delivery of a personalised consultancy service to travel customers."

It also noted the innovative way travel consultants like Vicky using state-of-the-art technology to allow their customers to book holidays from their own homes.

"I am thrilled that the expertise and dedication that myself and my colleagues have invested in Travel Counsellors has been recognised by such a prestigious honour," said a jubilant Vicky.

"Because as Travel Counsellors we are responsible for running our own local travel consultancies, I feel very much that this award recognises all our individual achievements as entrepreneurs and travel experts, rather than being just another business award for the boardroom table. I am very honoured."

Her comments were echoed by Travel Counsellors' managing director David Speakman who said: "This is a magnificent honour which recognises the entrepreneurial spirit which drives Vicky and all our Travel Counsellors." He added: "This is a people business, with the skills and experience of our travel consultants being our key asset. But our systems help us deliver that expertise in a more innovative, dynamic and customer friendly way than traditional agencies. It is that combination of talent and technology that has been recognised by the Queen today."

The 'holidays from home' concept has proven highly popular with holidaymakers, reports Vicky. "People love the fact that I can offer them truly personal advice in the comfort of their own homes and at a time that is convenient to them. They also appreciate the fact that they get independent advice and the benefit of extensive experience and expertise which is often not available on the High Street."

Vicky and her colleagues' efforts have helped Bolton based Travel Counsellors become the UK's fastest growing travel firm, with the Queens Award just the latest in a line of honours it has won.