ACCRINGTON rolled out the red carpet yesterday when Princess Anne travelled to the town for a two hour visit.

Crowds lined the streets to watch as the Princess Royal arrived in a dark blue Daimler to officially open two new charity run buildings.

During her visit she met the Mayor of Hyndburn, Councillor Sandra Hayes and her consort, Councillor Doug Hayes, along with other dignitaries and officials.

The Mayoral couple had previously met the princess when Coun Doug Hayes was mayor two years ago and Princess Anne opened the New Era community complex in Paradise Street.

For her first yesterday, Her Royal Highness visited the new King Street offices of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, of which she is president.

She met many users of the Carers Centre and chatted with individuals about their own circumstances.

In addition she was told about the work of the young carers project and work with carers from black and ethnic minority communities.

Kathleen Eastwick, centre manager, said: "She has been able to see some of the work we do here and to meet some of our carers. Her visit has once again highlighted carers within East Lancashire and emphasised the importance of our centre to those bodies which fund us."

Princess Anne then went to Prospect House in Whalley Road, Altham West, where she performed the official opening of a residential centre for adults with autism and unveiled another plaque.

Prospect House is the latest addition to the Hyndburn Service for the National Autistic Society, of which Princess Anne is the patron.

The Princess Royal was taken on a private tour of the building and gave a short speech. She said: "I would like to give my best wishes for the future of this house and the residents in it. This is a very important service from everyone's point of view."

After her Accrington visit the Princess Royal then went on to Preston to open the Lancashire Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Centre, in Sharoe Green Lane.

And in the evening she officially opening the new Jubilee Function Room at the Farington Lodge Hotel in Stanifield Lane, Leyland, where she had dinner with the Princess Royal Trust Carers for the North West.