TELEVISION presenter and journalist, Anne Robinson might have been called the Queen of Mean during her Weakest Link days, but right now she is possibly Ledbury's finest unofficial ambassador, because she genuinely adores the market town.

Miss Robinson was at Ceci Paolo today (Friday November 25), the fashion and food emporium in the High Street, to help mark the shop's 20th anniversary, and because she is a regular customer at the shop.

She is also a friend of the owner, Patricia Harrison.

"I tell everyone to come to Ledbury," said Miss Robinson.

She adds: "I love Ledbury. It's enchanting. I love the architecture and the drive here, while the sun is shining. "Ledbury has managed to maintain its local shops: it's not all dead flowers and lamp-shades. I visit Ledbury every month, whenever I need an outfit, or a rug."

She likes to buy her rugs from Roger Oates, at Eastnor.

Miss Robinson is keen to put people at their ease, and she is soon displaying her famous and pointed sense of humour, saying: "I'm the oldest woman on prime time television not baking cakes", and she revealed how she had just complimented the parking attendant on St Katherine's car park, for having a shapely bottom.

Fitness and style is important to Miss Robinson, who said of Ceci Paolo: "I empty Ceci Paolo. It's wonderful to find that quality of stylish clothing well out of London. It means I can buy labels I could normally only get in the middle of Mayfair, and they are cheaper in Ledbury."

At the age of 72, Miss Robinson, who lives near Burford in Oxfordshire, likes to go jogging three or four times a week, for three miles at a time, and she was keen to pass on beauty tips.

"One good haircut is worth a thousand outfits", she said, and she believes that "Weight Watchers is the only way to lose weight.".

But she adds, with a smile: "When Victoria Beckham is very hungry, she has a piece of lettuce."

Miss Robinson says there are no plans to bring back The Weakest Link, but she has just completed five documentaries in five months, on contemporary themes including motherhood, owning pets, teenagers and body image.

"It's Anne being nosey, that's what it is," she said.

When asked what motivates still her, after a long and distinguished career in broadcasting and journalist, Miss Robinson said: "Nosiness and greed motivate me, and the fun of it."

And she is a strong supporter of local papers.

Miss Robinson said: "Local newspapers are more important than ever. Local news interests me. I like to know who's died; who's been robbed and who's gone to jail".

She added that she was "delighted" to see that sales figures for the Ledbury Reporter have been rising.

When asked how she knew, Miss Robinson replied, "Because I'm a journalist, dear."