AFTER a long cold winter and months of economic gloom, yesterday’s VIP visit really gave East Lancashire something to smile about.

Even the pouring rain stopped and the sun came out almost on cue as the royal couple turned into Witton Park to be welcomed warmly by thousands of eager people and filmed by TV crews from around the world.

The visit showed the excitement felt by people in Blackburn and Darwen at being given the privilege of personal access to a couple the whole world is talking about.

And less than three weeks before their wedding, too.

Prince William and Kate Middleton themselves did a wonderful job, chatting, shaking scores of hands and making a day many hundreds will remember for the rest of their lives. A visitor from another planet could have been forgiven for thinking the Prince and Princess-to-be had years of experience of working together to charm the crowds! The visit was a real coup for the borough and East Lancashire and it was a genuine honour to be given the chance to meet and greet such a lovely couple.