THE Princess Royal came away from her visit to the Cheshire Clothing Company in Crewe with more than a valuable insight into its renowned skills.

As well as seeing traditional clothing expertise in action, she was given a bespoke cashmere coat.

Craftsmen at the Marshfield Bank firm had sent material to Buckingham Palace before Thursday's visit to obtain her exact measurements.

It will now be hand-sewn in the luxurious material at the Crewe plant, along with a similar coat for Prince William, and presented to her as a commemorative gift.

Cutting room team leader Nigel Edwards, who has been working on the coat, said: 'It will be a very special jacket for the Princess, in pure cashmere.

'She always looks great and dresses in smart coats and outfits for many of her visits.

'Hopefully, it will be something she will like and enjoy wearing.' Princess Anne arrived dressed in a hunter-green calf-length coat with a lightly toned herringbone pattern.

Her outfit drew compliments from many of the fashion experts working at the firm and was finished with a Hermes scarf, mid-length black boots and a black leather handbag on a gold chain.

Italian tailor Giuseppi Burroto, who joined the firm 17 years ago, described her as a lady 'with great style'.

He said: 'She has always been delightful. She looks so good. I have seen her before but this time we spoke. It was very nice to meet her.'

The Princess held a long conversation with pant shop manager Keith Burnell, who was dressed in a bright plum-coloured Oswald Boateng suit. Many thanks to the readers who pointed out that our piece last week about County Clothes was incorrect to say the first tailoring factory opened on Pym's Lane. It began life in Chestnut Grove back in 1935.