A ROYAL visitor swept into Lancaster this week although few people outside the city castle walls will have noticed.

Fashionably late by 15 minutes, the Princess Royal touched down in a helicopter on Tuesday afternoon before a fleet of three cars conveyed her to HM Prison Lancaster Castle.

Princess Anne's visit was as patron of the Butler Trust - a charity recognising and celebrating the achievements of those who work with inmates.

The castle's rehabilitation and resettlement units have won Trust awards along with prison staff, including Dusty Miller for his work re-integrating inmates back into society.

He told the Citizen: "It is an honour that she has come to see the work we do. And it is important for inmates because it makes them realise they are in a prison that's trying to help them."

Dusty, who collected his award at Bucking-ham Palace last year, said: "I am sure inmates will be talking about this, saying they were in prison when Princess Anne was here. I am sure they will get quite a buzz out of this and feel honoured to have met her."

The Princess arrived at 2.15pm, wearing a green checked woollen coat over a red roll-neck and silk scarf with black boots, gloves and handbag.

A few muffled shouts from cells overlooking the entrance greeted her arrival, while a more formal welcome saw the Union Jack flying above the castle.

Deputy Lord Lieutenant Timothy Kimber met and introduced the Princess to castle governor Derek Harrison and city dignitaries including the mayor and mayoress.

Her first port of call was C wing - one of the castle's oldest towers with wedge-shaped cells - before crossing to the Norman keep, which houses the education department and IT suite.

During a two-hour visit, she also toured the Victorian-style A wing along with the reason and rehabilitation suite before meeting staff and other invited guests.

Several former inmates also returned to discuss their experience behind bars.

"People are very excited - it is recognition of the work staff have done," said deputy castle governor Colin Midwinter. "But we are trying not to let the visit be a disruption - after all she has come to see the prison working."