A BEDALE company set up only 18 months ago has won royal approval for one of its products.

CVO Fire was on Monday awarded the prince's medal for its octagonally shaped firebowl in the Homes and Gardens and Victoria and Albert classic design awards.

The bowl was chosen as the winner by the Prince of Wales from a shortlist of 17 products, which included many established household names.

CVO Fire was established in October 1999 by Mr Christian Van Outersterp and his wife, Carolyn, to revolutionise the concept of fire in the home. The firebowl is produced for both solid fuel and gas in white or black concrete, solid bronze or cast iron. It costs from £650.

Now in their second year, the Homes and Gardens and V and A awards recognise British made or designed products with the capacity to become classics of British design.

Mrs Van Outersterp said: "We are passionate about design in manufacture and this award, more than any other, is a reflection of this belief.

"We live in the North-East, where there has always been a strong tradition of manufacturing, and we have used much of the heritage of the region - the shipbuilding and foundry casting traditions - in our designs."