Three Gwent companies have been awarded the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in celebration of the Queen’s 91st birthday.

They were among six businesses from across Wales which were recognised for their contribution to sustainable development, international trade and innovation.

Winners include businesses leading the way in a broad range of industries - from a remote water leak monitoring system, and an apprenticeship scheme in the construction industry, to development and manufacture of environmental packaging systems, and a sea salt manufacturer.

Now in its 51st year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are one of the most prestigious business awards in the country, with winning businesses able to use the esteemed Queen’s Awards emblem for the next five years.

HMW-Water Ltd, of Cwmbran, and Monmouth-based Siltbuster Ltd were among the innovation award winners. The other winner was Cyfle Building Skills Ltd (SWWRSAL), of Ammanford.

Hi-tech form SPTS Technologies Group Ltd, which is based at The Coldra in Newport, won an international trade award along with Green Light International Ltd, of Cardiff.

Sustainable development award winner was The Anglesey Sea Salt Company Ltd T/A Halen Mon, of Llanfairpwll.

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said: “The Queen’s Awards highlight the best of British business – rewarding their strong entrepreneurial streak, their ambitions to succeed at home and overseas and the crucial contribution they make to our economy.

“From Anglesey to Monmouth, the Welsh companies awarded today are beacons of success, demonstrating that every corner of Wales is open for business.

“They can all be rightly proud of their achievements. I hope their successes will become the inspiration for other Welsh businesses to strive for this prestigious award in the future.”

Business Secretary Greg Clark said: “The Queen’s Awards for enterprise highlights everything that’s great about UK business today.

“We have some of the best entrepreneurs and innovative minds in the world who are at the heart of small start-ups providing excellent customer service to larger businesses developing global solutions. More than one million new businesses have been created since 2010, all playing a vital role in creating jobs and driving growth across the UK.

“I’m extremely proud to see such a wealth of businesses across Wales being recognised. Through our industrial strategy we will be building on the successes of these award-winning businesses, helping to build a stronger, more outward looking and prosperous global Britain.”

According to research by the University of Strathclyde, 73 per cent of International Trade winners between 2012 to 2015 directly attributed increased international sales to winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise.