HIGH-FLYING companies in East Lancashire are being mobilised to win a royal seal of approval for their business.

Organisers of the Queen's Award for Enterprise -- the corporate equivalent of the honours list -- are now inviting applications from companies large and small.

East Lancashire firms will soon receive a mailed information pack as part of a nationwide promotional campaign launched this week.

The Queen's Award scheme recognises and rewards exceptional achievements and advances in all areas of British business.

Any type of business can apply for an award in one or more of three categories: international trade, innovation and sustainable development.

Ribble Valley dairy Singletons -- an export winner in 2000 -- milked the award for all it was worth.

The Longridge dairy puts the Queen's Award logo on the thousands of packets of cheese it sells throughout the world.

Other East Lancashire winners have included Darwen wall covering company Imperial Home Decor, furnishing firm Panaz of Nelson, textile group James Dewhurst and Wolstenholme Bronze Powders, of Darwen.

David Moore, head of the Queen's Award office said: "We know there are a lot of talented firms out there and we want them to come forward and receive the recognition they deserve.

"Over the years, Lancashire and the North West have produced many worthy winners -- let's build on that success for next year and showcase the region's world-beating talent."

Winning companies are entitled to display the Queen's Award emblem for five years and benefit from the publicity generated by the announcement of the winners on the Queen's birthday, April 21.

The Queen also invites three members of each winning company to a special reception at Buckingham Palace.

Even losing entrants do not miss out entirely. They all receive a feedback report, detailing the strengths and weaknesses of their application to help them become a winner of the future.