PRINCESS Anne received a special welcome when she came to West Devon on Tuesday.

As patron of the charity Farms for City Children she visited Nethercott House to celebrate the achievements of a charity that has done so much for young people in the last three decades.

The Princess marked the grand opening of the new classrooms by unveiling a plaque. Her visit also marked the retirement of founders Michael and Claire Morpurgo from their executive roles.

The Princess praised the concept of the charity which had given disadvantaged children from across the UK, many from inner city areas, the chance to participate in the working life of a farm

She said Nethercott Farm and its two sister farms in Wales and Gloucestershire were ?absolutely magical places? which had been shared with almost 50,000 children since the charity was founded in 1976

The newly converted attic rooms have been named after Ted Hughes, who was the founding president of Farms For City Children and a great supporter of its work.

Princess Anne had a tour of the 500 acre farm and met some of the children from Charles Darwin School in Biggin Hill, London.