AN OUTDOOR maintenance company has been given the royal seal of approval after receiving an award from the Queen.

Ground Control Ltd, based in Radford Way, Billericay, has received the Queen's Award for Innovation in recognition of its use of technology.

The company has been lauded as a pioneer in its industry for the way it delivers grounds maintenance, tree works, vegetation management and landscaping.

Managing director Marcus Watson said: "We are extremely honoured to receive such a prestigious endorsement for our innovation and service to our customers.

"It is humbling to be recognised as world-class in all that we do and this extraordinary award is testament to everyone’s hard work and innovative spirit here at Ground Control.”

The company was started in 1973 and now operates nationwide, including a contract with 600 Tesco stores across the UK.

Mr Watson added: "The progress we have made as a business since we started in 1973 has exceeded all our expectations, having diversified into many sectors and been driven through a continuous process of innovation, service delivery and customer focus.

"Our ambition is to become the undisputed partner of choice across the private and public sectors.”

An example of the company's use of technology is integrating its winter maintenance projects with Met Office forecasts, ensuring services such as gritting can be carried out in real-time.