Thorne gets second visit from Anne in two years

The Princess Royal opened Thorne's swing bridge over its canal in October 2005 - and now she will return two years later to the day on October 12 to meet staff and clients at the Citizen's Advice Bureau on Browns Lane.

More details have emerged of the Royal visit to Doncaster when the Princess will also open Doncaster Racecourse's new 'Urban i' stand at Town Moor.

She is expected in Thorne at around 5pm and in her role as a Patron of Citizen's Advice.

The Princess will meet a range of bureau staff, clients, volunteers and trustee board members, before being invited to unveil a plaque commemorating her visit and signing the visitor's book.

Some of those she is due to meet have been personally affected by the floods which struck South Yorkshire, while others are suffering from debt and relationship problems.

North East Doncaster CAB manager Karen Bothamley said: "We are very excited about this visit and delighted to be able to welcome the Princess Royal to our bureau, and we are looking forward to being able to introduce her to our dedicated team of volunteers, staff and trustees. We are also extremely pleased she will be able to meet some of our clients."

Princess Anne will also be introduced to some of the service's long serving volunteers, who have helped at the site for 15 years and be presented with flowers by eight-year-old Abigail Woffindin, Mrs Bothamley's niece.

She is due to fly in to Doncaster College for the Deaf.