THREE East Lancashire companies have been named among the cream of British industry in the Queen's Award for Enterprise.

Haslingden-based Flexipol Packaging, BAE Systems at Blackburn and the Shackerley Group in Euxton were among just over 100 companies to win what are the 'Oscars" of the business world.

Flexipol, which produces two and a half million specialist plastic bags for use in the food industry, won the award for Innovation.

Shackerley, which has developed a glass block walling system for DIY enthusiasts, collected the honour in the same category, which was awarded to just five North West companies.

BAE received its prize for International Trade for the world-beating electronic communications system developed for tanks and other armoured vehicles.

Established in 1994, Flexipol devloped its "Ripp'n'Flow" bag system to meet the needs of the food industry which needed to eliminate the contamination of ingredients caused when bags were slit open with sharp knives.

The company, which employs over 70 people at the Carrs Road Industrial Estate in Haslingden, sells its unique packaging system to blue chip clients in the UK, Ireland, Holland, Germany, Denmark and Sweden.

Commercial director Ian Smith said the company was delighted with the accolade. "We are extremely proud to be one of the very few companies in the UK to achieve the standard," he said.

Shackerley won the award for "Framelight", a mortar-free method of assembling interior walls and room dividers with glass blocks.

The company has traded successfully in Euxton for more than 35 years, and is best known locally for ceramic tiles. It is also a major supplier to the construction industry, employing 60 people locally and another 90 elsewhere in the UK.

Company founder Brian Newell said the award recognised the spirit of enterprise in the company. "I'd like to express my gratitude to all my staff.

"his honour is a reflection of all the hard work that every member of the team puts into this business," he said.

BAE's operations in Blackburn, spun out of the former Royal Ordnance Factory, are based in a custom-built complex at Shadsworth.

Its Land Platform Communications division employs over 100 skilled design, manufacturing and support staff. Its state-of-the-art product is ROVIS, an innovative vehicle intercom system, in successful service worldwide.

Business unit Director Steve Collier said the award was a tribute to the dedication of the workforce

" It reflects the substantial investment made by BAE , allowing us to offer our customers the best vehicle communications systems available anywhere in the world", he said.