STAFF at an award- winning firm went to a Buckingham Palace reception last night.

Representatives of The Natural Wheat Bag Company, of Emley, joined members of seven other Yorkshire firms at the event for winners of the Queen's Award for Enterprise.

They were managing director and company founder Susan Grant, software manager Neil Grant and general manager Ian Cawthorne.

The reception was hosted by the Queen and was also attended by Prime Minister Tony Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown.

The company was chosen for the success of its wheat bags and spin-off products.

They are heated and used to provide relief from stomach aches and muscle pains.