PRINCE Charles is highlighting a Dorset company that exports to more than 150 countries as a flagship success for his Prince's Trust business start-ups scheme.

The Prince of Wales has been publicly extolling the success of Network Telex after meeting founder director Philip Clarke at a trade mission in Mexico.

In a letter to Mr Clarke, Prince Charles said the Ferndown firm was "an amazing story of perseverance and commitment and I could not be more proud of you.

"You are such a wonderful advertisement for my Trust that I used you as an example of one of our success stories in a speech only the other day!"

Last March Prince Charles and Philip Clarke were in Mexico for the 100th anniversary celebrations of the port of Vera Cruz. They dined together aboard the Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland.

Network Telex - which supplies PC-based Telex systems and software - had been invited by the UK government after securing a $50,000 deal with Mexico largest company, oil giant Pemex.

Telex remains a vital form of communication for the oil and shipping industries because - unlike some of its successors - it is recognised as a legal document.

Network Telex has updated the technology with software that makes it compatible with standalone and networked PCs, instead of using a dedicated Telex machine.

The Prince's Trust, which has offices at Wimborne, helps young entrepreneurs launch their own firms by providing funding and business advice.