PRINCESS Anne donned a day-glo 'chav-band' when she opened the St John Ambulance Headquarters in her home county of Gloucestershire.

HRH, who is Commander in Chief of the charity's staff, was presented with a luminous plastic wristbands that teenage cadets sell for charity - unaware they are secretly known as 'chav bands' because of their less-than stylish appearance.

"They are known as chav bands - or Cheltenham Average bands," one 16 year old revealed after she had handed the Princess her gift.

"We'll have to wait until next year to see if she wears it."

"She's a wonderful lady and remembered everything we told her last time she came to see us."

The bands bear the inscription 'Caring For Life' and are sold for £1 each. The princess was formally opening the service's new headquarters at Staverton on Friday.

Dressed in an ankle-length light green tweed coat, hiding a yellow polo neck and red scarf, with court shoes, the princess soon removed the chav-band and slipped it discreetly into her pocket.

She was treated to a display by Badgers (juniors aged between five and 10) racing to mummify other cadets, to show her their prowess with bandages.

"Something tells me the volunteers are beginning to feel they've had enough," she quipped.

She also marvelled at a brand new tent designed inflate within seconds if a chemical attack were to take place in Gloucestershire.

Six-year-old Badger Georgia Willis, from Stroud, presented her with a posy, saying she was 'very excited'.

Finally she unveiled a plaque before been driven back home to Gatcombe Park near Minchinhampton.

The new building has a suite of five training rooms along with offices, meeting rooms and garaging for eight ambulances.