A TRAILBLAZING East Lancashire company has won a Queen’s Award, the most prestigious honour in UK business.

Aerospace firm Euravia has scooped an International Trade gong after doubling turnover and boosting export sales by 60 per cent in the past three years.

The award means staff from Kelbrook-based Euravia, led by managing director and High Sheriff of Lancashire Dennis Mendoros, will head down to Buckingham Palace for a reception with the Queen later this year.

The Queen’s Awards are handed out annually and are considered the highest honour that can be bestowed on British companies.

Mr Mendoros said: “It is the greatest award we have ever won.

“But without any doubt this is down to the hard work of our employees and it is a reflection of the quality of our staff.”

Euravia was founded in 1988 after Sudanese-born Mr Mendoros set up in East Lancashire, attracted by the area’s rich aerospace heritage.

Since then it has grown to a £10million turnover, specialising in repairing and overhauling US-made Pratt & Whitney jet engines.

Mr Mendoros said: “This amounts to recognition by the Queen of Euravia’s enterprise and our international trade.

“We have increased our turnover and export sales at a time when the British economy has struggled, largely by targeting growing markets such as the Middle East and South America.”

Euravia overhauls Pratt & Whitney products so as not to go head-to-head in the engine market with the Rolls-Royce factory two miles away in Barnoldswick.

The Queen’s Award is merely the latest accolade to be collected by Mr Mendoros.

He was made an OBE for services to business in 2001, chairs Regenerate Pennine Lancashire and earlier this week was formally sworn in as High Sheriff of Lancashire.

Another Queen’s Award winner, Preston-based homeless social enterprise company Recycling Lives, hopes to open a new site in Hyndburn.