A Shipley-based electronics company is in the running for its second major award this year after reaching the last four bidding for the UK’s top engineering innovation prize.

Ten judges, including eminent engineers, innovators and entrepreneurs, visited the offices and workshops of Radio Design Ltd to assess its entry.

The firm, which last month received a Queen’s Award for Innovation, is a finalist for the Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert Award, which carries a £50,000 prize.

Radio Design, launched in 2007 by managing director Eric Hawthorn, has been short-listed for developing a radio frequency filter that allows mobile telephone companies such as Orange and T-Mobile to share their networks.

The firm is vying with the Jaguar car company, Microsoft Research and the Government’s Defence Science & Technology Laboratory for the top honour.

Judges who visited Radio Design included John Robinson, former boss of Smith & Nephew, Keith Davis, former director of strategy and planning at the Royal Academy of Engineering, Professor Nicholas Cumpsty of Imperial College London, and Professor Richard Parry-Jones, former Ford Motor Company development chief.

The judges’ chairman John Robinson said: “In the Academy’s 35th anniversary year, we are delighted to see engineering projects developed in the UK having such a global impact, from connecting people more efficiently and protecting our troops, to making lighter, greener cars and leading the games industry. British engineering is alive and well - enriching society, making a profit and helping to rebuild the economy.”

Mr Hawthorn said: “It’s not every day you get a visit from such an eminent team of engineers. We had to extend our meeting room to accommodate the judges for the presentations. It’s great to be in the running for this prestigious award, especially after achieving a Queen’s Award.”