THE Princess Royal braved Blackpool storms to officially open a new horse rehabilitation centre.

Princess Anne spent an hour touring Penny Farm, the new £1.1 million, 110-acre centre run by the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) on Preston New Road.

The recovery and rehabilitation centre -- the only one in the north of England -- can house up to 65 rescued horses and ponies and has an on-site vet treatment area, covered exercise arena and isolation unit.

The Princess, who is president of the ILPH, spoke to the grooms, vet and farrier on her tour of the centre.

Groom Karen Wright said that the princess had asked about one of the horses, Tilly, who had been found in a ditch and had to be supported in a sling for four weeks before she could stand.

"She was asking after Tilly because she had been in a sling for so long," she said. "She asked about things like physiotherapy."

The centre currently has 28 horses, including a foal that was born at the farm. One horse, Florrin, was featured on Channel 4's Pet Rescue in an effort to rehouse her. Acting head groom David Jones, who previously worked at the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, said that the centre relied on donations of tack and other equipment from the public.

"Trying to find bits for some of the big horses is so difficult," he said. "Luckily there are so many horsey people in the Fylde, once the farm's open people will probably bring things in."

Princess Anne said that without the help of fundraisers the ILPH would not have been able to extend the range of its work to the North West.

"Nothing like this happens quickly or easily," she added. "But to find this property and have such support in transforming it into what you see today is wonderful."

Princess Anne later visited Pontins in Blackpool to visit 1,000 carers enjoying a rest at the holiday complex. During the visit, the Princess was presented with a cheque for £8,333 from local Freemasons towards The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

Steven Reid, assistant provincial grand master in the Masonic Province of West Lancashire said: "Fylde Freemasons are delighted to assist the Royal Trust for Carers, which in turn helps carers manage the many problems they encounter."