HER Royal Highness the Princess Royal swept in to West Somerset for a whistle-stop tour on Friday to officially open the recently refurbished Washford Mill.

She was greeted by 83 children from Old Cleeve First School after she surprised onlookers by arriving behind the wheel of a dark blue Range Rover.

The royal party had been due to fly into Danesfield School, Williton, by helicopter but bad weather forced a last minute change of plan and the journey was made by road.

And, after driving down from an official engagement in Weston-super-Mare, the party was delayed by a traffic jam in Nether Stowey.

Princess Anne arrived at the mill, in Abbey Road, around 15 minutes late but that did not dampen the spirits of the crowd armed with Union Jacks and cameras as they patiently waited to catch a glimpse of the princess.

Wearing a three-quarter length tweed coat with blue buttons, black boots and gloves and carrying a black handbag with a gold strap, the princess acknowledged the flag-waving crowd and enthusiastic schoolchildren.

She was then met by Lord Lieutenant of Somerset Lady Gass and introduced to Bridgwater MP Tom King, West Somerset District Council chairman Cllr Viv Brewer and council chief executive Tim Howes.

Having been presented to the High Sheriff of Somerset Mrs Angela Yeoman, the princess entered the plant house and the dignitaries gave her a tour of the mill.

The party was joined by the middle boy and girl from each age group of Old Cleeve First School.

The Princes Royal was given an extensive tour of the mill and she talked freely with both management behind the project and the unit holders themselves.

Then it was time to move upstairs for a buffet made from fresh local produce. After lunch came the highlight of the engagement - the unveiling of the plaque and the signing of a card to record her visit.

Before pulling the cord, Princess Anne addressed the audience in the main hall of mill.

She said: "The opening of Washford Mill highlights all of the work that has gone into the enterprise and most of you who have seen it change must be delighted.

"The mill will give opportunities, and continue to give many more, to all those involved in the scheme. I wish you all the very best and many congratulations."

She was then presented with a posy of flowers and a hand-made card by the granddaughters of Washford Mill chairman Gordon Short, cousins Faye and Victoria.

Asked by the princess to name their favourite units at the mill, 11-year-old Faye said the equine business, because she owns three horses, and Victoria said she was interested in the gift shop.

Mr Scott said: "I would like to thank the people who have helped to get this far with this project through what has been very difficult at times but at the same very rewarding. The opening of this complex is a the highlight of the scheme."

The diverse variety of units include a country store, farm and animal feed supplies, equine products, local arts and crafts, a candlemaker, an outlet for the Exmoor Producers Association and a dolls house shop.

The mill also boasts a plant and garden centre and a restaurant on the top floor serving local produce.

During her walkabout, the princess picked up a selection of the produce on offer to take home including pork sausages, some jam and Black Tower traditional cheddar cheese and Exmoor Blue Cheese.

She also sampled some of the home-made produce on offer in the West Somerset Farmers' Market shop.

Janet Barons, of Tower Farms, Lydeard St Lawrence, said: "It was a pleasure talking to her. When I was stood waiting for her to come round, I was quite nervous but she soon put us all at ease. She was just so approachable and easy to talk to and said she just had to take some cheese."

The princess chatted to Peter Singleton, owner of the Abacus business unit which specialises in stationery and 'cyber cafe-style' internet access for the public.

Mr Singleton, a former Minehead maths teacher, said the princess took a keen interest in his business and even had ideas of her own as to how to tap into new markets.

Old Cleeve First School head teacher Christine Stamp told the Free Press: "The visit was really enjoyable for the pupils and we're just pleased to be involved in the community event.

"Being so close, the children were able to walk to the mill and they were all very excited."

The opening is the culmination of four years' work in an ambitious project to convert and develop a 16th century mill into a complex for local and West Country trade and businesses.

The initial plans for the refurbishment of the mill were drawn up in 1997 and local companies were used to handle all aspects of the scheme so that money could be circulated within the Greater Exmoor area.

Washford Mill director Paul Thresher said: "The princess seemed genuinely interested in our diversifications project and she took time to speak to all the unit holders and staff.

"With the princess' keen interest in horses, she paid particular attention to our new mill tack room and the equine products section including our new bedding range."

He added: "In a time when agriculture and the countryside as a whole is going through an extremely difficult time, it is a tremendous achievement that such a large local project has come to fruition.

"It was important to plan for the future and the project was to be developed to not only safeguard existing jobs but to support local farmers and the local community by generating extra employment and revenue by providing a shop window for all that is best in the West Country."

Mr Thresher said that one of the main aims of the revamp was to keep as much of the mill's character by sympathetically restoring many aspects which reflect the history of the old working mill.

He added: "The directors and staff were delighted that the Princess Royal came down to the West Country to officially open Washford Mill."

Princess Anne again drove herself away from the mill back to a waiting helicopter in the grounds of Danesfield School before flying on to her next engagement.