LANCASHIRE firms were the toast of the county after receiving Queen's Awards for Industry.

The Lord Lieutenant, Lord Shuttleworth, visited East Lancashire to present awards to Scapa Group and to Panaz. The firms were among five local companies to receive awards announced earlier this year.

And he told the winners their achievements were something the whole county should be proud of. "These are firms which are world-leading in their field and everyone should celebrate their success," he said.

First stop for the new Lord Lieutenant was Blackburn, where he made his first-ever Queen's Award presentation to Scapa Group. The award, for technological achievement, was for the work of the Advanced Products Division, which is based at Scapa-Scandia in Cartmell Road, Blackburn. The division designed an innovative membrane fabric used in the manufacture of paper.

The Lord Lieutenant then travelled to Fence to present Panaz with its award for export achievement. The firm, which manufactures flame retardant furnishing fabric, sells its products in 36 countries.

Other local Queen's Awards winners this year included Wolstenholme Rink, Borden Decorative Products and James Dewhurst.

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