A royal visitor helped a long-running Swindon charity mark a major anniversary in style.

Princess Anne greeted staff, volunteers and trustees from clothing alterations charity Dressability at their Westmead Industrial Estate base on Monday morning.

The team make subtle and important tweaks to clothes so that they can be comfortably worn by clients with disabilities, limited dexterity, or who have suffered strokes.

The organisation is one of only two charities of its kind in the country and demand has grown as the size of the team increased.

Manager Sharon Tombs said: “It’s an amazing day for the charity. We are showcasing the work we do, which is a lifeline for many people.

“To be going for 25 years as a charity, especially in this current climate, is amazing.

“The visit went really well. I think she was really impressed with the service.”

Among the topics of discussion were the alterations the charity made for British Paralympians competing in dressage and how they made suitable clothing for BBC sports reporter and presenter Andy Stevenson, who was born with no hands and very short arms.

Elsa Heatley joined as a staff member six years ago after seeing a job advert in the Adver.

She said: “I was trained in dressmaking and after I had kids, I wanted to go back to that.

”It’s very rewarding. We are helping people who would not be able to properly dress themselves without alterations to their clothes.

”I love my job, you get to meet different people all the time, it’s nice to have our volunteers and work on so many projects.

“I was nervous but Princess Anne made feel at ease, she was so friendly and kind seemed really interested in what we do.”

After unveiling a plaque to mark the visit and milestone anniversary, the Princess Royal spoke with the manager of the Neuro Wellbeing Centre on the floor below, and the team tucked into a cake made by a retired volunteer.

Trustee Tim Swinyard added: “It’s great to see all the staff and volunteers get the recognition they deserve. The work they do is incredible and there’s a big need for it in the community.“

Local dignitaries, including Mayor of Swindon Barbara Parry, Swindon Borough Council leader Jim Robbins, Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Catherine Roper, Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sarah Troughton, and chairman of the UK Fashion and Textile Industry, Nigel Lugg OBE also attended the special occasion.

Mr Lugg added: “It’s a wonderful charity with a big heart.”