A HEXHAM company’s innovative approach to solving tough engineering problems has received high praise from the Duchess of Northumberland.

The Duchess was on hand to officially present a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation to RED Engineering, whose expertise in developing, building and testing highly-specialised equipment for the offshore sector helped to secure the coveted accolade.

The Queen’s Award is one of the highest honours that can be bestowed on a UK-based company and is given annually to those who have realised outstanding success and achievement.

The Burn Lane firm provides consultancy, bespoke equipment and testing services for companies in the offshore oil and gas, renewables and nuclear decommissioning sectors.

A high-tech clamp designed for the world’s deepest underwater oil well was among the work singled out in the award’s citation.

Joined by Bob Biggs, deputy clerk to the Northumberland Lieutenancy, and Janette Milburn from legal services at county hall in Morpeth, the Duchess presented a commemorative crystal bowl to RED Engineering’s directors Joe Orrell, Richard Kent and Toby Bailey.

“The RED team is clearly doing a great job, working on some very complex projects,” said the Duchess.

“Achieving the Queen’s Award will be a real boost for them at a regional and national level, and their hard work and dedication will no doubt be an inspiration to other businesses.”

Managing director Mr Orrell said: “We see this as a tribute to the quality of our excellent staff and the commitment and dedication they bring to their work.

“The award is a highly-respected achievement, so I’m sure it will prove a significant mark of excellence for us as we grow and win new customers in the coming years.”

RED Engineering employs 20 people and has annual sales of more than £3m.