Directors at a Banbury engineering firm are celebrating after winning a top industry award.

Norbar Torque Tools based in the town’s Beaumont Road, has been named Best UK Family Business in Southern England and Wales in the £5-25m turnover category of the Coutts Prize for Family Business.

Craig Brodey, chairman of the company set up in 1942, said: "While we may be a modern company in terms of outlook we have never abandoned some of the key fundamentals the founder Bill Brodey exemplified such as integrity, respect and a desire to do the right thing by people.

“We are very pleased to have won this award reflecting both the pride and the hard work of everyone involved in Norbar."

Judges praised the company, which was the first commercial manufacturer of a torque wrench, for its strong brand, solid family values running through the business and charity and community involvement.

Juliette Johnson, senior family business adviser, at private bank Coutts & Co which has an Oxford office, added: "We're delighted to provide recognition to this special family business and showcase its achievements for the benefit of other family businesses.

“What really shines through is the strength of the family's values. These influence how and why things get done and act as the glue binding the family and business together.”

The company will now go on to compete in the same category at the national finals to be held in London on June 23.