CHRIS SMITH reports as crowd turns out to watch Princess Anne officially open the Port's CAB.

THE Princess Royal received a warm welcome from onlookers as she arrived in Ellesmere Port on a chilly Monday afternoon.

She was greeted by a small but enthusiastic crowd outside the offices of the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) in Whitby Road, which she officially opened.

She had a brief chat with the waiting residents and accepted a bunch of flowers from Georgina Swan, 11, before heading into the CAB to meet staff and volunteers.

Princess Anne, patron of the national CAB, then toured the offices, housed in the former Pram & Cycle Exchange, and unveiled a plaque commemorating her visit.

As she left the building, the princess was cheered and clapped again by the crowd.

Cambridge Road Primary School pupil Georgina said: 'I'd been looking forward to it so much. It was lovely to meet her.'

Georgina's grandmother Mary Swan said: 'It had been a low-key visit but was very nice. We haven't had royalty in the Port since the Queen came here quite a few years ago.'

George Isted, chairman of the CAB's management board, said: 'We were very lucky with the timing, opening our offices just as the princess was in the North West. It was lovely to have her here.

'Our new offices are lovely, an improvement on our old ones in Shrewsbury Road.'

Di Scammell, CAB vice-chairman on the regional and national boards, said: 'The princess was very informed about the problems we face and took a great interest in our work.'

Beth Lloyd who, with 25 years service, is the Port's longest-serving CAB volunteer, said: 'It's been super to meet her. She took her time to talk to all of us.'

Another volunteer, Wendy Steel, said: 'The princess was very relaxed and spoke about how we deal with the different problems we face in our work.'

Mary Johnson said: 'The princess spoke about how we assist lots of people to fill in various forms.'

Following the visit, the CAB opened its doors to borough councillors and other community representatives.

The borough council's chief executive, Stephen Ewbank, said: 'It was lovely to meet the princess and it's been a real coup for the Port.'

Borough mayor Brian Jones said: 'When I was campaigning for justice for the HH Robertson pensioners in the town we couldn't get anyone to help us. Then we went to the CAB and they provided us with an employment lawyer.

'The CAB was a lifesaver and we later won our cause.'