A BRIDAL WEAR business is lifting the veil on its success for royal visitor Princess Anne.

The Princess Royal is dropping in on Linzi Jay's Blackburn headquarters on Tuesday to mark the company's achievements in breaking into export markets.

The visit forms part of a mini-tour by the Princess Royal, who will also be opening a new school building when she visits the town.

The nine-year-old firm now exports its range of designer tiaras, bridesmaids' outfits and communion dresses to 20 countries across the globe.

Princess Anne had planned to visit the company two years ago when it moved into a new factory at Shadsworth Industrial Estate.

"We were delighted when we found out she could make it this time and feel that this is due recognition for all the efforts of the past few years by the company and in particular the workforce," said managing director, Neil Flatley.

Linzi Jay was founded in 1995 by accountant Neil and three former colleagues from Cupid, another bridal wear business in Blackburn.

With the biggest market for its communion dresses in Ireland, the company started exporting soon after its launch and now sells around 30 per cent of its production overseas.

"They love all the things that go with a traditional English wedding out there and it is now a very important market for us," said Neil.

The company has worked closely with the international trade team at East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce on its export drive.