The chairman of a Watford company which helps people set up their own businesses has won a lifetime achievement award from the Queen.

Chris Pichon, chairman of enterprise agency Wenta, won the The Queen’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Enterprise Promotion - which is only given to one person in the UK each year - for his "outstanding role" in helping entrepreneurs develop the necessary skills.

Wenta, based in Colne Way, started 18 years ago and in 2014 assisted more than 1,200 people to start their own businesses across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

It also provided business skills training to more than 4,500 individuals and supported more than 500 businesses through its business centres.

Mr Pichon, who was unaware he had been nominated for the award, said Wenta's success was due to the hard work of his team.

He said: "Winning this award is very humbling, but I haven’t achieved this award on my own.

"It’s down to the whole team at Wenta, it’s their hard work and dedication through the years which has enabled us to help so many businesses to start up and grow. Wenta now plays a key role supporting local people and communities in Herts and Beds.

"My contribution has been merely to encourage and motivate them to be successful and achieve outstanding results."

Mr Pichon will receive a Grant of Appointment at a presentation ceremony in London in the coming months and will also be invited to a Royal reception at Buckingham Palace.

Elected Mayor of Watford Dorothy Thornhill, one of the supporters in Mr Pichon's nomination, said: "Throughout his career at Wenta, Chris has always been a champion of local enterprises.

"Without the help and support network that he has set up and nurtured over the years many local businesses would not be here today.

"I personally have always found him very helpful and informative when I have approached him about new council initiatives. He is keen, enthusiastic and supportive in terms of how Wenta can help both the council and the local community."

Wenta also works with charity The Prince's Trust to help disadvantaged young people start their own businesses.

Matt McBryde, head of volunteering and secondment at The Prince’s Trust, said: "The relationship that Chris forged with the Prince’s Trust resulted directly in over 200 disadvantaged young people starting and, in most cases, sustaining their businesses.

"The enterprise world is changing, thanks to people like Chris it is now much more accessible and credible to be self-employed.

"It has been the single-mindedness of Chris and his commitment to enterprise that has steered Wenta and made self-employment a real option for everyday people in our communities."