AN ANDOVER-based defence company has been awarded a prestigious prize at an awards ceremony in Poland.

United Shield International, located on the Walworth Business Park, received the Defender Award 2014 for its Titania Lightweight Bomb Suit.

The Defender Award is given out by the Polish Defence Minister to the most exciting and novel products for 2014.

From 76 new product nominations, the suit was among 12 successful new products.

Terry Hand, managing director of United Shield, said: “This award is a great tribute to the design and manufacturing team in our factory in Andover.

“It validates our position as one of the main producers of Bomb Suits in the world and is further confirmation of our technical skills in this market sector.”

United Shield manufactures a range of bomb disposal and mine clearance garments for explosive ordnance disposal technicians and mine clearance operations.