THE Princess Royal is visiting a growing business in Ross-on-Wye.

Princess Anne is going to ABT Products at the Ashburton Industrial Estate on October 18 to see the manufacturing facility.

The company produces roll bars, cabs and chassis, and under its Loadmac brand, the Truck Mounted Forklift.

Owner Mark Hignett said: "It is a privilege to finally have the recognition for what the company does in terms of manufacturing and export. It is fantastic. It is long overdue and I am really looking forward to it."

ABT has been in Ross since 1971. It originally started manufacturing agricultural equipment and in the 80s it moved into the UK's leading cab manufacturer.

Mr Hignett took over the business eight years ago and brought with him his Loadmac brand and started to manufacture the forklifts at the Ross site.

Loadmac is the market leader in Australia. Mr Hignett said: "Australia is the harshest market in the world and is where we test all of our products. We went to the most difficult market to start with and we are now market leaders."

The market is also growing rapidly in Canada and the USA.

ABT Products has more than 80 employees and an annual turnover of £7.5m.