A BLACKWOOD-based confectionery company has been awarded the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The accolade is given out to companies in recognition of outstanding achievement in innovation, international trade and sustainable development.

Bon Bon Buddies, which has worked with Disney, Warner Bros, Mattel and Habro among others has been recognised in the honours, announced on the Queen's birthday, April 21.

The company is best know for producing PEZ candy dispensers- which sells sweets with characters faces on.

After being founded in Blackwood in 1993, the company has enjoyed phenomenal success, with its products now sold in over 40 countries.

In the last calendar year alone, it sold three million PEZ dispensers to UK retailers, making £5 million. Overall worldwide sales were at £39 million.

The company, which employs 155 people, also supplied 70,000 candy dispensers around the UK in the run-up to Comic Relief last month. These featured specially-designed dinosaur characters and raised funds for the charity.

Bon Bon Buddies' product range includes confectionery with characters such as Disney Princess, Cars and Minnie and Mickey Mouse, Spiderman, Moshi Monsters, Barbie, Monster High, Super Mario Bros and One Direction.

More recently the company has developed its own specialist kids confectionery brands such as the super sour brand Bran Blasterz.. It also has its own chocolate factory.

The company is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year after managing director Chris Howarth saw a niche in the market for branded confectionery and launched it in 1993.

Mr Howarth said: "We are thrilled to have received this accolade which celebrates outstanding achievements in UK businesses. Winning a Queen's Awards for Enterprise is an honour for the company and great recognition of our continued success and sales in the overseas confectionery markets as well as recognition of the exceptional work of our team."

The Queen's Award for Enterprise judging panel said Bon Bon Buddies has adjusted particularly well to international markets through strong levels of adaptability supplemented by regular in-depth research.

Bon Bon Buddies is one of only two companies in Wales to be featured in the Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 League Table, which ranks Britain's fastest growing international sales performers.