Three Oxfordshire firms are celebrating today after landing the prestigious Queen's Awards for Enterprise.

MediSense UK, Sophos and Penlon -- all based in Abingdon -- are entitled to fly the award flag and display the emblem on their letter headings, in advertising and on packaging for five years.

For Sophos, which produces anti-virus software for computers at the Abingdon Science Park, it is a double success, as it has won two of the coveted awards in the Innovation and International Trade categories.

Chief executive Peter Lammer said: "It's immensely satisfying to be recognised for our technical innovation as well as our business performance." In the past three years, the company's earnings from exports have increased by 168 per cent, to more than £11m. The judges also praised its achievement in continuously updating its programs.

Penlon produces medical gas systems and other equipment primarily used by hospital maternity units, operating theatres and recovery rooms. It won in the Innovation category.

MediSense UK won an award in the international trade category. Its products include equipment that monitors blood glucose in diabetics. Over six years, overseas earnings have increased by 140 per cent to almost £150m a year. Exports account for more than 90 per cent of production.