ECO-FRIENDLY cutlery and cup maker Vegware is to compete against firms across the UK after being named overall winner at the Scottish Federation of Small Businesses Streamline Awards.

The Edinburgh firm won the innovation prize before being told it had also been selected to go through to the UK-wide FSB Streamline final in London.

Vegware founder Joe Frankel set up the business in 2006 and it now employs 25 people.

Its tableware and takeaway cartons are made from a corn-based bioplastic called PLA, which can be composted and broken down in fewer than 180 days. Other winners were TEFL Scotland, Armits Autos and Highland Campervans.