A Darlington businessman has been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
Colin Taylor, managing director of Amdega Conservatories, in Darlington, has received the honour for his services to international trade.
Mr Taylor, who is originally from Nottingham, became the managing director of Amdega in 1997, and immediately made efforts to expand the company's export market.
The company flourished and now exports conservatories to customers in North America, Japan and Australia.
Amdega was established in 1874, as W Richardson and Company, of Darlington, and has gone on to become one of the world's leading manufacturers of conservatories.
Aidan Jackson, of Amdega Conservatories, said: "Colin himself is no doubt proud of this accolade. He has worked very hard and he very much deserves it. However, I don't think he would mind me saying that this OBE is also a reflection of how hard the staff work, and we are very, very proud that Colin has achieved so much since he became managing director.
"He works tirelessly, and he deserves this. All the staff are really pleased for him."
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