ACCRINGTON put out the bunting and rolled out the red carpet to welcome Princess Anne to the town.

The Princess Royal was in town to officially open the New Era community centre in Paradise Street.

And the crowds outside -- who were handed lollipops by the leader of Hyndburn Council, Peter Britcliffe -- were treated to seeing an extra VIP, Captain Timothy Laurence, her husband.

He made his impromptu appearance after finishing an appointment and travelling across the country.

Dressed in an emerald green overcoat and trilby-style blue hat, The Princess Royal spent more than an hour touring the complex, meeting dignitaries, staff and users of the centre, which opened last November.

The New Era centre is Lancashire's most expensive Millennium Commission-funded project and is made out of the town's former ballroom and technical college.

After touring the building, witnessing many of the events on show, she unveiled a plaque commemorating her visit. She told cheering onlookers: "I wish to pass on my congratulations to you for creating this wonderful centre.

"It makes excellent use of a historical site and is something the community can be proud of.

"I wish you every success in the future and I hope it becomes what you have all hoped for."

Costing £2 million to build, more than £1.4million of the money came from the Lottery, and was handed over after a delegation of local folk travelled to London to see Lotto bosses.

Among that party which made the trip five years ago was 94-year-old Alice Horne, of Oswaldtwistle.

She was among the guests who met royalty yesterday.

Alice said: "She was a wonderful lady and we spoke about out Scottish connections. She has been to my home area of Alloa many times."

The Asian Women's Guild, which meets in the centre once a month, also had a chance to talk to the Princess.

Saeeda Farooq, chairman of the 25-year-old group said: "Because we are all carers, she spent a lot of time talking to us about our lives.

"She seemed a wonderful lady who was genuinely interested in us."