THE PRINCESS Royal's second stop in the borough saw her open the new Three Downs Link in Kingsclere.

The British Horse Society president helped christen the 96-mile long distance route for riders, walkers and cyclists on behalf of the charity after chatting to a number of volunteers.

The Princess became the first to ride part of the newly-opened route when she set off from a section of the link, next to the B3051, on horse Furzeylodge Flyer.

As well as society members, the Princess met with fellow guests Mary Fagan, the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, and the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Cllr Gerry Traynor, both of whom had also been present at the earlier ceremony at the Chineham incinerator.

Pat Campbell, chairman of the society, said: "She said how pleased she was to open this and she has been very supportive.

"I thanked the Princess for coming and thanked all of our volunteers who give so much of their time all year round."

The Princess also presented a Volunteer of the Month award to society member Brenda Wickham, and chatted to another member about bed and breakfast accommodation for riders and their horses along the link.

The Three Downs Link joins together the two national trails of The South Downs Way and The Ridgeway, crossing Hampshire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire in the process. Friday's ceremony took place on land owned by Ian Balding, the retired racehorse trainer at Park House Stables.