A WILTSHIRE-based meal home delivery company has won royal applause for sustainability.

Wiltshire Farm Foods and its parent company Apetito have won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development.

The businesses are just one of 201 organisations to be recognised in this year’s honours across the UK, one of the most sought-after royal awards for businesses, with just six other winners in the Sustainable Development category.

Not only that but it is the third time the ready meal delivery firm has won the accolade.

Ian Stone, managing director at the company, said: “Winning just one of these awards is difficult, so to win three, and our second in three years, is an incredible achievement.

"A lot of work goes in to winning this award so being recognised for a range of our practices - including our charity work, our commitment to being a Real Living Wage Employer and our work with the Ethical Trade Initiative - is very special.”

The company employs around 1,000 people across the country and 12 in Cricklade, and can now display the Queen’s Award logo on its media for the next five years.