The Princess Royal crowned six years of hard work for a group of Bishop Auckland volunteers when she officially opened their community resource centre.

Town centre shoppers lined the entrance to the Four Clocks Project, in Newgate Street where Princess Anne spent 70 minutes inspecting the £1.2m conversion from a former Wesley Methodist Church.

She is patron of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureau, which has moved its Wear Valley branch into the building, and spoke to volunteers and staff before unveiling a plaque in their offices.

Earlier nine-year-old Sadie Elliot, daughter of advice worker Carol Wright, had presented her with a posy of flowers.

The princess visited Bishop Auckland College's Community Caf and Learning Shop, and was shown an exhibition of the project's history.

She spoke with members of the Bishop Auckland Community Partnership, architect John Niven, builder Robert Manners and staff from Age Concern and Children North-East Family Link.

The project's new youth worker Alan Prest said: "She knew a lot about young people's issues. She was very interested and knowledgeable."

CAB chair Robin Easton said: "She spoke to all our volunteers. It was a very special day for them."

Princess Anne ended her tour by unveiling a plaque carved from local stone and accepted an oak dish, made from a church pew, from Lianne Vollans, a member of the design team.

The Princess said: "The Four Clocks Project has been a very imaginative one and very well supported. I am sure there will have been many frustrations along the way.

"I hope you will be pleased and proud of what you have achieved here. It is a wonderful conversion. It very much fulfils the needs of the community."

Dr Michael Thompson, partnership chairman, told her: "You have made this a memorable day for our town."