A CHARITY shop enjoyed a royal visit yesterday when Princess Anne came to town.

As part of her Cumbrian engagement, the Queen's daughter made a special trip to Windermere's Save the Children charity shop.

She was greeted with a vast crowd lining the streets, cameras at the ready and eager for a glimpse of royalty.

The princess was presented with a bouquet of flowers and wore a dark green formal coat as she made her way into the shop on Crescent Road.

She was there to join together in paying tribute to a number of dedicated volunteers.

Jackie Kenyon, regional manager of Save the Children, said: “She came up to visit because she is president of the charity.

“We have several volunteers that have been here for an incredible length of time.

“The rest of our team has been here for a long time too.

“She came to mark that and celebrate with them.”

The shop boasts a trio of dedicated volunteers who have marked half a century of helping out this year.

Jean Tolson, Eva Alexander and Margaret Turner are all into their 50th year of volunteering.

There was also a 30th and 40th year milestone for Edwina Saunders and Hilary Sharpe respectively.

Jackie said: “All of our volunteers are amazing. They all work in the shop to raise funds for our charity.

“The shop has been here in Windermere for 25 years.

“Before that some of our volunteers had been in Bowness and even organising local fundraisers before that.”

Princess Anne has held her position as president of the charity since 1970, and her work is appreciated by those in Windermere.

Jackie said: “This is the third visit she's made to our shop. Her last one was 12 years ago.

“It was fantastic to see her again. She really gives the whole team a massive boost when she comes up here.

“She is a really active president.”

Her Windermere stop was one of a number of destinations on a busy visit to Cumbria.

She had earlier been in Warcop, near Appleby, as well as visiting Kirkby Stephen Mountain Rescue Team and Kirkby Stephen Grammar School.