ROYALTY flew into the Essex village of Tollesbury yesterday when Princess Anne arrived for a visit by helicopter.The marina was the main focus of the occasion, where the Princess Royal attended to commemorate the sailing club's 70th anniversary.

ROYALTY flew into the Essex village of Tollesbury yesterday when Princess Anne arrived for a visit by helicopter.

The marina was the main focus of the occasion, where the Princess Royal attended to commemorate the sailing club's 70th anniversary.

She was greeted by local dignitaries as she stepped off her chartered aircraft into the grounds of the harbour.

As president of the Royal Yachting Association, she has a long-standing interest in sailing and appeared captivated throughout her tour of the marina.

She began by unveiling a commemorative bench, watched by gathering crowds in the bright sunshine.

The Princess Royal then climbed aboard a 19th Century fishing boat, assisted by the owner of the marina Julian Goldie, after which she sailed across the River Blackwater.

Mr Goldie was delighted by the Royal visit, and said: “It is the perfect opportunity to share our waterside heritage here at Tollesbury.”

The tour continued to take in an ancient building called The Granary, which recently featured on the BBC programme Restoration Village.

The sailing club needs £250,000 of funding to raise it by half a metre in order to prevent serious flooding.

Alan Coday was given the honour of accompanying the Princess Royal while she looked at the building - as chairman of the Mid-Essex Historic Building Trust Mr Coday has been working on its restoration for several years.

The princess's visit ended at the sailing club, where she unveiled a new entrance specially modified to provide access for disabled visitors.

She also met many of the organisation's well-established associates and greeted members of the wider Maldon community.