FLAG-WAVING youngsters cheered with delight as the royal motorcade stopped yards from them when Princess Anne came to town. She was in Burnley to meet some of the staff at Grenfell, the royal warrant-bearing outdoor clothing manufacturers in Rylands Street, just round the corner from St John's infant school.

The children were thrilled at seeing a 'real, live Princess', but thought she should have arrived in a golden carriage.

In the event, the Princess Royal made do with a Rolls Royce, and seven-year-old James Michael Smith was in a great place to take her photograph.

The Princess visited Grenfell in her capacity as president of the British Knitting and Clothing Export Council.

She paused briefly to wave at the children and the small crowd of neighbours and workers who gathered behind a barrier of red tape and was welcomed to the town by the Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Arthur and Mrs Eileen Park.

The firm's longest-serving employee Julie Patterson presented the Princess with a posy of cream flowers.

More staff had a chance to see and speak to the Princess during her tour of the factory with managing director David Haythornthwaite.

Later she unveiled a commemorative plaque and signed the visitors' book.

The Save the Children Fund, with which the Princess is strongly associated, will also benefit from her trip to Burnley.

Before she left she accepted a cheque for £1,550 from Mr Haythornthwaite on behalf of the charity.

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