A FAMILY business has received Royal recognition of its passion and commitment to community and environmental work.

Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate was presented with a Queen's Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development by the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Lord Crathorne.

The award is given to companies that place social and environmental responsibilities at the heart of their work.

It was presented to deputy chairwoman Lesley Wild and Liz Barnes, representing the Bettys family.

On the day of the presentation, the company created a community market place featuring stalls staffed by schools, charities, social enterprise and environmental projects to demonstrate the ways the firm supports organisations locally and globally.

Lord Crathorne said: "I would like to congratulate Bettys and Taylors on this very well-deserved award.

"The social responsibility that they have shown, both locally and internationally, is a wonderful example to us."

Each year, through its Five Per Cent Fund, the business gives five per cent of its profits to community, environmental and ethical projects.

The award also recognises the firm's commitment to tree planting.

Bettys and Taylors launched its Trees for Life appeal in 1990 with the aim of planting a million trees by 2000. With the support of Yorkshire Tea drinkers and staff, the total has now risen to three million trees and more than £1m has been donated to Oxfam.

To commemorate the award the company, in conjunction with the Royal Horticultural Society Garden at Harlow Carr, near Harrogate, is creating a wood to demonstrate to visitors the social, economic and environmental benefits of trees in developing countries.