COMPANIES in and around Malvern are being urged to put themselves forward for the 2002 Queen's Awards for Enterprise.

The awards are the country's highest recognition of business success and are open to any type of business.

There are three categories: international trade, innovation and sustainable development. Minimum requirements are that entrants employ at least two people, are based in the United Kingdom and are high achievers in their field.

RSRE, the predecessor of DERA, is a previous winner of the award for some of its technological achievements.

Winning companies are allowed to display the Queen's Award emblem for five years and are invited to a Buckingham Palace reception.

David Moore, head of the Queen's Award office, said: "The prestige of being associated with the Queen's Award provides winners with a valuable promotional and marketing tool in an increasingly competitive domestic and global economy."

Details on entering are available on www.queensawards.org.uk.