THE Princess Royal visited Winchmore Hill on Thursday to open a new affordable housing scheme.

Princess Anne cut the ribbon to officially open the housing scheme as part of her role as patron of the Rural Housing Trust. She chatted with residents and dignitaries and was also shown around one of the new homes during her visit.

She had earlier been shown around stables at The Horse Trust, in Slad Lane, Speen.

Dignitaries said the visit of the Princess Royal was a fitting reward for the people who had worked so hard to get it running.

Long Meadow Close and Horsletts Cottages offer seven homes for rent and 13 for shared ownership.

Tracy Francis, 32, has just moved in to a two-bedroom house on the site, after living with her parents for five years.

She said: "It's a beautiful house and I work as an estate agent so I should know. I would not have been able to buy if it wasn't for this scheme."

Amersham was recently announced as having one of the highest average house prices in the country.

The new housing scheme was developed three years ago to help local people get on the property ladder.

Penn Parish Council enlisted the help of the trust to develop 20 homes on the unused piece of land. The scheme offers affordable housing to people with a strong connection to the parish.

Martin King, Mayor of Amersham, said: "It is very nice and the housing fits in very well with the environment. These houses cannot be sold and they will stay in the trust which is very important to the area.

"It is great for the people to have a Royal visit and for everyone who has worked so hard on this to enjoy a day like today."

Councillor Michael Bayley, chairman of Penn Parish Council, said: "Penn Parish Council is delighted that Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal, has come to Winchmore Hill. I hope her visit will help show how important affordable housing is in maintaining village communities.

"The parish council want young people to be able to stay in the parish and be close to their family if they wish. This has been a most worthwhile project which has fulfilled an objective and given the parish a long term asset of which we can be proud."