IT WAS a royal visit fitting for a club described as Hampshire's jewel in the crown.

Princess Anne was full of praise as she re-opened the Royal Southampton Yacht Club's Gins sailing clubhouse in the New Forest, complete with newly installed facilities for disabled sailors.

The Princess Royal, who is patron of the Royal Yachting Association's Sailability charity, viewed the new facilities at the Bucklers Hard club before meeting members. She then unveiled a plaque commemorating the Beaulieu River club's new dedication to bringing the sport to all abilities of sailor.

Commodore Roger Townsend said: "The Royal Southampton Yacht Club has really only paid lip service to disabled sailors in past years. Now we have many members involved in blind sailing week."

He thanked Sailability for the £5,000 grant that helped bring Gins up to the standards required for disabled sailors and said Princess Anne's visit would live long in the memories of everyone there.

The Princess Royal added: "Many clubs have unknowingly felt there was something more they could do - sometimes they just were not sure how to set about making access easier for people with disabilities.

"An essential part of Sailability's constructive element is to help support people who want clubs to be able to do that and show them it is not terribly difficult or very expensive. It will make a difference and attract a whole lot more people to your events."

Sailability, the charitable arm of Royal Yachting Association, promotes mixed ability sailing.

The princess earlier spent three hours looking around the Southampton Boat Show. Wearing casual trousers and deck shoes she helped launch the Royal Yachting Association's On Board campaign to encourage more people to try boating.

More sailing news and information at: www.sailsolent.co.uk