The Princess Royal visited Calderdale's only cheese-makers before receiving a royal welcome at the Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre in Hopwood Lane, Halifax.

The Queen's only daughter enjoyed a cup of tea and homemade Yorkshire Parkin and was then given a tour of Crow Hill End Farm, in Hubberton, Sowerby, by farmers David and Robyn Heap.

She chose to see the farm after hearing about their success. Despite having one of Britain's smallest dairy herds the couple, who started making their cheeses around two years ago, have already won awards for their cheese, milk and butter.

They have also created a new cheese Calderdale Royal Blue - including bilberries - in honour of Princess Anne.

Mr Heap said: "It was fantastic. It is amazing what she knows, especially where farming is concerned. She was really interested in what we are doing here."

He said the couple had presented the Princess Royal with a hamper full of their products including a raw cheese she could mature herself.
At the Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre, Princess Anne learned about the town's innovative past and exciting new projects.

She met Graham Allen, Elsie Whiteley's son and director of the centre Michael Steele and wife Glenda Shaw, the great-niece of cats eyes inventor Percy Shaw. Mr Steele's grandfather was one of a group of former Victorian owners of the mill.

She also met the Mayor and Mayoress of Calderdale, Councillor Conrad and Hilary Winterburn, as well as representatives from HBOS and Calderdale Council.

Graham Allen said: "She asked how long the Elsie Whiteley business had lasted and was surprised it was 70 years. I told her it was started by my mother in an old lock up shed in 1973. This is something she would have been proud of because it upholds her beliefs of enterprise, innovation and hard work."

Princess Anne last visited Calderdale in March 2007.