AN engineering firm which makes communications equipment has been named as the cream of the crop of Malvern businesses.

Dytecna, based in Spring Lane, emerged as the overall winner in the Platinum Awards for Business Excellence, held by Malvern Hills District Council.

And, as if that was not enough, the company also scooped the innovation prize at the event on Tuesday night.

Dytecna provides engineering solutions for Governments and commercial customers, both in the United Kingdom and overseas.

It was launched by its current chairman, 81-year-old James Fulford, in 1947, as a design drawing office and now employs 130 people locally as well as dozens more in offices in Surrey, Wales and Australia. The company's head of business development, Keith Mowbray, said it was the commitment of the workers that had lead to the business's success. He said the £1,500 prize money they took home from the awards night will go to organising a summer event for staff.

"Their hard work and commitment has meant the company has grown by 30 per cent in terms of turnover each year for the last two years," said Mr Mowbray.

"This year we hope to reach £10m and we are still expanding."

The company entered the awards for the first time. Workers were quietly hopeful of winning the innovation prize for a black box recorder they have developed for land vehicles, but never dreamt of the big award."We were very surprised, and delighted," added Mr Mowbray.

"It adds enormously to our credibility and helps us in the next step of our development."

The Business Platinum Awards for Business Excellence aim to celebrate the innovation and success of firms in the area.

This year's awards were separated into seven categories - production, retail, tourism, arts, enterprise, service business, innovation and overall winner.