A PET foods company has been handed a coveted award for worldwide expansion and export growth.

TastyBone, based on the Whitebirk industrial estate in Blackburn, is the UK’s top manufacturer of nylon chews, Part of Pets Choice, it was awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise earlier this year.

And this week, chief executive Tony Raeburn received the accolade from the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth.

Lord Shuttleworth was treated to a tour of the Pets Choice premises with the Deputy Mayor of Blackburn, Cllr Pat McFall.

Accepting the award, Mr Raeburn said: “It is a great honour that our company has been presented the Queen’s Enterprise Award for International Trade.

“Pets Choice has grown significantly in the past four years and we are now one of the fastest-growing pet food companies in the UK.

“All this could not have been done without the dedicated team at Pets Choice and I am so proud of everyone within our business.”

Mr Raeburn said the brand enjoyed rapid growth thanks to unique products, the stamp of UK manufacturing and a great team behind the scenes.

Recalling meeting the Queen at a reception at Buckingham Palace back in July, he added: “I arranged for samples of our Royal Banquet-flavoured TastyBone products to be sent for each of the corgis, namely Vulcan, Willow and Candy.

“I received a lovely letter back from the Master of the Household saying the corgis would be enjoying their treats at Balmoral.”

TastyBone was among 150 firms to be recognised for enterprise and business, having exported its range of nylon TastyBones to 29 countries around the world.

The products are manufactured in the UK from 100 per cent virgin nylon and come in 11 shapes and 33 flavours, including roast beef, wine and peanut butter.

Earlier this year, Pets Choice was also handed a Red Rose Award for manufacturing.

A TastyBone spokesman said: “Our aim is to lead the way into the next generation of pet products by creating new and innovative premium products that are truly flavoursome, promote good oral hygiene and are most of all fun.

“We’re in a great position to understand and shape the future of the pet products market.”