A COMPANY making scalp coolers to combat hair loss for cancer patients has won an export award.

Fenay Bridge-based Paxman Coolers took the trophy for Best Market Entry Strategy at the Going Global Awards.

The competition was run by Yorkshire Forward and government export support arm UK Trade & Investment to mark the achievements of firms across the region.

The award was presented to Paxman Coolers chairman Glenn Paxman and operations director Richard Paxman at a ceremony in Harrogate.

The company was recognised for its successful export strategy, which involved collaborating with overseas companies in France, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

The Paxman scalp cooling machines work by lowering the temperature of the scalp for patients undergoing chemotherapy. This can prevent or reduce hair loss.

Paxman’s coolers are now used in more than 165 clinics and hospitals in the UK. Another 800 systems are in use worldwide.

UK Trade & Investment has backed the company to expand its business in the highly competitive international healthcare sector.

Mr Paxman said: “It was a great honour to receive this award as recognition for all the hard work and dedication of the Paxman team in entering very difficult overseas markets in a challenging economic climate.

“We plan to carry out similar market entry strategies in Asia and America over the next few years and hope they will be just as successful.”