PRINCESS Diana came to this area twice: to Burnley with Prince Charles when Rosegrove Station was opened in 1986 and on her own in 1989 when she met supporters of the Ithaad welfare group for the elderly in Nelson.

She was a shy, pretty young bride of only a few years when she stepped off the Royal Train at Rosegrove.

The waiting crowds took her to their hearts. The Royal walk-about took later took Charles to the Weavers' Triangle and Queen Street Mill, both of keen interest to the Prince.

Their brief visit was during Princess Diana's 'apprenticeship'; she wore a functional close-fitting, heather-coloured suit with a fish-tailed jacket and a pill-box hat.

By the time the Princess returned to East Lancashire to visit Pendle she had become a world super-star, extremely slim and dazzling in a vibrant apple green outfit.

Flag-waving children climbed on vantage points for a glimpse of her as she walked the few yards from Victoria Street to the town hall to the delight of well-wishers who packed Nelson centre.

Catering students from Nelson and Colne college produced a beautiful buffet lunch at the town hall in her honour.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.