A ROAR of cheers went up from around 300 spectators gathered along the snow smattered canal side as Princess Anne cut the ribbon to mark the formal opening of Stroud Brewery Bridge today, February 10.

Dressed in an immaculate blue raincoat and looking every bit the quintessential stateswoman, Her Royal Highness paid tribute to the workers, officials and volunteers who had made the canal restoration project possible.

After unveiling a plaque commemorating her visit and delivering a few words of praise, The Princess Royal boarded the narrowboat Perseverance for a three minute wait as the lock was emptied.

Once the water had drained away and the jet black gates of the newly restored Wallbridge Upper Lock had swung open, the canal boat, with the Princess seated at the head, glided gracefully towards the new bridge.

All that remained on reaching the structure was for the Princess to snip the green ribbon draped across its front so the boat could pass unimpeded beneath.

In doing so, HRH and her companions became the first party to sail below the resplendent new Brewery Bridge.

"It was absolutely brilliant," said Brian Humphries, an enthusiastic onlooker who had travelled from Stonehouse with his wife Sue to witness the event.

"When the whole canal project is finished it will be great because of the money and the tourism it will bring.

"I think it was fantastic that the Princess could be here to support it," he added.

Earlier on HRH had met with contractors, engineers, sponsors, politicians and representatives of the Cotswold Canals Partnership in the Lock Keeper’s Café Bar aside the waterway.

After disembarking from the boat she also chatted with volunteers from the Cotswold Canals Trust and received a bouquet of flowers from a young girl who had waited patiently to meet the Princess.

"She said thank you to me and then asked how old I was," said 10-year-old Laura Pearson.

"I thought she was very nice and she had a beautiful smile."