A SMALL company that plays a big role in delivering food aid to the developing world has been honoured with the Queen's Award For Enterprise.

Marcus Coles, chairman and managing director of Yalding-based Maviga Limited, received a crystal bowl and the Royal Grant from the Queen's representative, Allan Willett, the Lord Lieutenant of Kent.

The company, founded in 1994, employs just six people in Britain at its premises at Downs Court, Yalding Hill. It also has 19 at bases abroad and has substantial overseas earnings through its trade in dried pulses.

It sources peas, beans, chickpeas and lentils in the UK, Canada, the USA and China and exports them to more than 70 countries worldwide.

Its business has trebled over the last six years with major customers in North Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

Maviga also works closely with the UN's World Food Program and non-governmental organisations to procure and deliver pulses for food aid.

Mr Coles said: "Maviga has a small team of highly motivated and hard working individuals who have all played their part in the winning of this award. We are all pleased and proud.

"It comes not only as recognition for what we have done, but also as inspiration for the future as we continue to build our company."