COMPANIES and individuals across the region are celebrating this morning after being honoured with Queen's Awards for Enterprise.

Seven businesses and three people in the North-East and North Yorkshire were recognised in the scheme - the UK's premier awards for business achievement.

Cummins, of Darlington, TRW Occupant Safety Systems, of Peterlee, Authentix, of York, and Duco, of Newcastle, received an international trade award.

DuPont Teijin Films, in Middlesbrough, and British Horse Feeds, of Ripon, North Yorkshire, were given awards for innovation - and the Shared Interest Society, of Newcastle, received an award for sustainable development.

Individuals were also recognised with the Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion (QAEP), given for playing a significant role in promoting the growth of business enterprise and entrepreneurial skills.

John Eversley, the director and vice-chairman of the Tyne and Wear Enterprise Trust, was given the country's only lifetime achievement award in that category.

His achievements include starting a loan fund for entrepreneurs who cannot get bank support and persuading a company to provide premises adapted for disabled entrepreneurs.

Michael Leithrow, executive director and manager of the Northern Pinetree Trust, in Birtley, County Durham, also received an individual award.

His organisation is a social enterprise and registered charity that helps seriously disadvantaged people in the North-East.

Brian Dunsby, of Perlex Associates, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire - an entrepreneur who has helped others to start up businesses - has also won an individual award.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will hold a reception at Buckingham Palace for award-winning organisations and individuals.

Across the UK, 139 business awards and 11 individual awards were given this year.

Cummins employs more than 900 people in Darlington, producing diesel engines, and components for construction, power generation, military and marine applications.

It has been recognised for its outstanding export sales last year and it is the fourth time it has won the award since it started trading in 1965.

The company won the Queen's Award for International Trade in 1970, 1971 and 1976.

Tim Millwood, Darlington plant manager, said: "This is great news for the Cummins Darlington engine plant and our employees.

"We are honoured to be selected among the best companies in the UK.

"A Queen's Award demonstrates that the plant maintains the highest standards and it is well placed to remain highly responsive to the needs of the markets and customers that we serve."

Engines from the plant are sent to more than 40 countries and export sales have increased by 81 per cent to a cumulative £570m during the past three years.

Duco, of Newcastle, designs and manufactures subsea umbilical systems for the offshore oil and gas industry.

TRW Occupant Safety Systems, in Peterlee, manufactures car safety systems, including seatbelts, airbags, electronic control units and remote crash sensors.

Authentix, in Dunnington, York, offers product authentication services to major corporations and the Government.

DuPont Teijin Films UK, of Middlesbrough, manufactures polyester films suitable for portable banner stands used at exhibitions.

The Shared Interest Society, of Newcastle, was delighted with its award for sustainable development.

The business reduces poverty in the developing world through fair trade finance.

It supports farmers and artisans in Africa, Asia and Latin America. It uses the pooled investments of its 8,500 members, more than £23m, to make credit and loan services to the producers, importers and retailers.

Patricia Alexander, Shared Interest's managing director, said: "Winning a Queen's Award is a vindication of the dedication and professionalism of our team in our work to reduce world poverty.

"We have significantly increased the amount of money we lend overseas, especially directly to artisans and growers, over the last five years because that is how we can do most to improve lives.

"Fair trade makes a difference to millions of people across the globe as they work their way out of poverty."

Shared Interest also has staff in Kenya and Costa Rica.

Stephen Brice, of The Queen's Awards office, said: "Shared Interest Society Limited is an outstanding example of a company that fully warrants the recognition its staff's efforts deserve through continuous achievement in providing financial services to fairtrade producers."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "Queen's Award-winning companies are standard-bearers for the very best of British business.

These firms embody the spirit of enterprise and innovation that is so vital to the future of Britain's economy.

"I also congratulate the individuals receiving The Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion.

"Each of them has played a vital role in helping unlock Britain's entrepreneurial talent."