The Duke of Gloucester (seated) recently visited Abingdon-based Oxford Technologies to present it with a Queen’s Award and officially open its new assembly integration and test facility.

The company develops remote-handling robotic systems that are used in hostile environments such as nuclear reactors. It currently employs 40 people.

Managing director Alan Rolfe said: “We were delighted to welcome the Duke to our new building and to have the opportunity to discuss the importance of the UK’s presence in this vital engineering sector.

“The work we do here is very much a team effort, and our success in the Queen’s Award recognises the hard work, skill and dedication of every single person in the company.”