Anne braves weather to meet West Sussex volunteers

The Princess Royal met National Coastwatch Institution watchkeepers in Shoreham

The Princess Royal has been meeting coastguard volunteers and touring the Rolls-Royce factory during a visit to West Sussex.

Princess Anne arrived at Shoreham's National Coastwatch Initiative (NCI) station on Thursday morning where she presented three volunteers with awards for long service.

By the afternoon, the princess had left the rainy coast and was making her way to Goodwood, where she toured the Rolls-Royce factory to celebrate its 120th anniversary.

The last stop of the day was at Amberley Museum, in the heart of the South Downs, where the princess was presented with a walking stick handmade by a museum craftsperson.

Isabel Mary and her son Henry, 2, saw the princess on the Sussex coast

Isabel Mary and her son Henry, 2, braved the conditions to cheer for the princess as she arrived at Shoreham.

"We live in a lovely place and it's great that Princess Anne has been able to come down," she said.

"Henry is a particular fan of the NCI volunteers and it's great that they've been recognised."

George Grundy chatted with the princess about his life growing up in Banbury before moving to Sussex

Among the volunteers to meet the princess was George Grundy, who has been with the NCI since 2011.

"I really enjoyed it, she's a very hard working royal," said Mr Grundy.

The princess then visited the Rolls-Royce factory at Goodwood, near Chichester, before flying by helicopter to Amberley Museum, near Arundel.

Peter Trinder spoke to the princess about his volunteering at the Amberley Museum

Peter Trinder, a volunteer at the museum since 2003, told BBC Radio Sussex: "It was an absolute delight [to meet Princess Anne]. She's the greatest asset we've got.

"I spoke with her about volunteering here and pointed out the tunnel which appeared in the James Bond film A View To a Kill."

The princess then officially opened the newly restored bagging shed and loading bay - a late-19th Century building which was once the heart of the busy Amberley chalk pit and limeworks.

The princess was pleased to receive her handcrafted walking stick