THE Earl of Wessex visited a North-East firm yesterday to find out more about work which earned it the Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The royal visit to Uniqema, at the Wilton International site, near Redcar, east Cleveland, was one of several throughout the UK celebrating British Enterprise and giving members of the Royal family the chance to find out how the work of award recipients is progressing.

The day's celebrations coincided with the opening of recently commissioned laboratories and office space at the company's UK headquarters at Wilton, where the prince unveiled a plaque marking commemorating the occasion.

Uniqema received the Queen's Award for Enterprise in the sustainable development category last year for its refrigeration lubricant technology.

Companies can also enter for the award under the categories of international trade, and innovation.