A ROYAL visitor attended a farm near Bromyard to mark 25 years since it started working with the Riding for the Disabled charity.

HRH the Princess Royal visited Longlands Farm, Whitbourne, last Friday and was welcomed by children from Fort Royal Special School in Worcester, students from Longlands care farm, staff and volunteers.

She was given a demonstration, tour of the farm and presentation.

Julia Evans, Riding for the Disabled (RDA) group leader and farmer, was presented with a long-service award by the Princess – as were two of the ponies that the children ride.

Longlands RDA group is unique in having a link with the care farm, where teenagers, most of whom are excluded from mainstream school, access alternative educational provision.

They experience real work on a farm and complete land-based studies while helping with the RDA group, enabling disabled youngsters to experience the joy and freedom that riding can bring.

They in turn benefit from the challenges and rewards of supporting children with learning difficulties.

Ms Evans, who won the BBC Countryfile Farming Hero award last year for her pioneering work, said: "It was a huge honour to host The Princess Royal, everyone worked so hard in the preparations and on the morning were so excited – except for the ponies who took it completely in their stride.

"It was when the helicopter came into view that you thought 'wow this is really about to happen. Action stations'."

All of the riders and students were presented with commemorative rosettes.