SOPHOS, an Abingdon company which protects businesses against e-mail 'spam' and viruses, has received the Queen's Award for International Trade.

Vice Lord Lieutenant for Oxfordshire Malcolm Cochrane presented Dr Jan Hruska and Dr Peter Lammer, Sophos's two founders, with the Queen's Award rose bowl at the company's headquarters at Abingdon Science Park.

Guests included the mayor of Abingdon, Keith Hasnip.

The company was given the award for increasing overseas earnings and ensuring stable overseas growth. It has previously won two Queen's Awards for Enterprise in International Trade and Innovation.