Duchess visits crisp factory

4:20pm Monday 31st March 2008

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THE Duchess of Cornwall came to Herefordshire today and left the county with a taste for lightly salted crisps.

Her Royal Highness visited Leominster-based Tyrrells Potato Chips, where she was taken on a tour of the factory and took time out to chat to staff.

Managing director Les Sayers said Camilla was "really lovely" and had been genuinely interested during the tour.

"She asked a lot of questions about our sustainability and environmental issues, and stopped to talk to the workers, which was nice.

"She sampled the warm chips before they had been flavoured and also the finished product - her favourite is lightly salted."

The Duchess, who wore a slate blue coat and tan high-heeled shoes, was not exempt from health and safety regulations and wore a white overcoat and hair net on her factory tour.

Also present at the royal visit were the Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, Sir Thomas Dunne, and Lady Dunne, Chris Bull, chief executive of Herefordshire Council, and Leonard and June Chase, the parents of Tyrrells owner William Chase.

HRH also spent time with children from Dilwyn Primary School and visitors from Dilwyn British Legion and Dilwyn Cedar Club.

As a reminder of her visit, the Duchess was presented with a hessian bag bearing the Leominster knot, filled with Tyrrells goodies.