CHILDREN, sportsmen and civic dignitaries all turned out to give Princess Anne a right royal welcome on Wednesday.

And all concerned, including Her Royal Highness, have given the visit the thumbs-up.

The Princess Royal, the British Olympic Association's president, came to Bury on Wednesday along with members of the National Olympic Committee on one of its rare forays outside London.

On the ball was Mrs Diana Kyle, who lives in the aptly-named Royal Avenue in Bury.

She went out and took these pictures of pupils at Chesham County Primary School getting a guided tour of the royal helicopter when it landed on Chesham fields.

"I asked Princess Anne if she would like to come in for a cup of tea but she said her schedule was too busy," Mrs Kyle said.

Mr Peter Hudson, the school's headteacher, said the pupils were delighted to witness the visit.

"We got a message from one of the parents that she would be landing nearby," he said. "Nearly all of the classes went for a walk down during the morning or at dinner time. It was too good an opportunity to miss.

"The helicopter was rather impressive to say the least, very comfortable and plush." The pupils stayed around to exchange a wave with the Princess as she took off. Mr Hudson said: "It was all rather exciting for them. Some of the newly joined four-year-olds now expect her to visit every day!"

The night before the Princess arrived , the Mayor and Mayoress of Bury, Councillor John and Mrs Anne Costello, joined members of the Olympic Association and guests from the borough's sporting groups for a dinner in the Elizabethan Suite.

Mr Dennis Taylor, Bury Council chief executive, said: "It was a wonderful, exceptionally good visit.

"The association was glowing in its praise for Bury, and said their welcome was unparalleled.

"Princess Anne spoke to me and wanted to congratulate Bury on the excellence of the venue and organisation. She said our hospitality was exceptional, the best they had had in her experience of being on the committee."

At the dinner was Bury's England international table tennis star Andrea Holt and English netball player Louise Crolla.

Mr Taylor added: "We mentioned the many achievements of Bury sportsmen and women over the years, and our plans to adopt a nation during the Commonwealth Games.

"It was an opportunity to raise awareness of what we need and how proud we are of the people in this borough. Hopefully they will remember coming to Bury when we bid for sports funding in the future and look favourably on us."

Pleased to meet you: Princess Anne meets the Mayor of Bury, Coun John Costello, at Bury Town Hall.

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