A KNUTSFORD dairy business has been presented with The Queen’s Award for Enterprise for its International Trade achievements.

Delamere Dairy, whose headquarters are based in Bexton Lane, received a visit from the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, David Briggs, who gave the owners and staff a crystal bowl and congratulatory scroll signed by the Queen.

In his address, Mr Briggs praised the company for its innovation, flexibility and determination to success in export markets.

Liz Sutton founder and co-owner, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to receive this prestigious award. When my husband Roger and I started the business all those years ago, we made it our mission to make goats’ milk readily available all across the UK in every supermarket as well as rural village shops.

“We never imagined at that time we would see Delamere Dairy products on supermarket shelves in Italy, China and the USA. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and we are looking forward to celebrating with them.”

The company, which started life with just three goats in Cheshire’s Delamere Forest over 30 years ago, now exports its goats’ and cows’ milk based dairy products to twenty countries around the world, and turns over in excess of £20M.

Ed Salt, MD and co-owner added: “We’re thrilled to have been ranked so highly amongst other progressive, ambitious companies, operating on a global level.

“It’s significant that a speciality dairy company has been borne from a region renowned for traditional dairy and is pushing the boundaries with its product innovation in the UK and in markets across the globe. I’m really proud of all the team at Delamere.”