THE RHS Malvern Spring Festival was given a royal seal of approval when the Princess Royal visited for the first time in four years.

The Princess Royal, who last attended the spring show in 2010, was made patron of the Royal Three Counties Show earlier this year.

She was welcomed by West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin before she was given a tour of the site.

"It is always an honour to host royal guests in Malvern and the RHS Spring Festival has become a prestigious attraction for people from all over the country," said Mrs Baldwin.

"I chatted to Her Royal Highness and discussed how important this show was to Malvern. She asked me where I live and having told her that I live in Shelsley, I invited her to come and visit the Shelsley Hill Climb on her next visit to Worcestershire.

"We are all very proud of the way the spring show has gone from strength to strength and all the gardens look amazing.

"Nearly 100,000 people are expected to visit Malvern over the weekend and I do think this event has taken over as the premier gardening show of the year."