AN AWARD-winning Aylesford, Maidstone, firm had its hopes of meeting the Queen at a celebratory party dashed this week because of the death of Princess Margaret.

Three workers from G Costa & Co were due to meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace on Monday after they helped the firm win a Queen's Award for International Trade.

But the event was cancelled and will be re-arranged in the spring.

G Costa & Co, of Mill Road, won the Queen's Award for its exports of Blue Dragon Chinese food to countries across Europe.