Princess Anne starts digging site of new Barrow university

Princess Anne broke the ground where the new Barrow campus will be built

The Princess Royal has officially marked the start of construction of a town's first university building.

Princess Anne broke ground at the site of the University of Cumbria campus on Barrow Island, Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria.

She was applauded by staff from the university and BAE Systems, which is helping to develop the facility.

The princess also visited the town's port for nuclear vessels.

It is hoped the Barrow campus will be open by Autumn 2024

University vice chancellor Julie Mennell said the ceremony marked an "important time for Barrow".

She said the new building would help to "transform lives and livelihoods" and contribute to the "future growth and prosperity of the area".

Princess Anne joked about how contractors had already "loosened the ground" before marking the start of building work.

The new building, which will be an extension of the University of Cumbria, is expected to open in 2024.

It is being built next to a submarine academy run by BAE Systems. It is also being partly-funded by the government's £25m Towns Fund allocated to the area.

Princess Anne met with members of the Pacific Heron's galley

BAE Systems' submarine managing director Steve Timms said it was a "privilege" to show the princess "the vital work we do in supporting the Royal Navy".

"The new facility will take tertiary education in Barrow and Furness to a new level and we are very proud to be part of this exciting project, especially given the future we now see," he said.

The princess also visited Nuclear Transport Solutions' (NTS) port in Barrow-in-Furness where she toured Pacific Heron, which has a double hull to protect nuclear materials it carries.

She also met the ship's crew, including those from the bridge and its galleys.