THE Princess Royal visited a new millennium centre, a flagship women's project and a factory, during a whistle stop tour of the North-East yesterday.

The princess visited the Bridge project, in Washington, Tyne and Wear, to mark the opening of its newly refurbished premises.

Based in Columbia, the project has worked for 17 years to improve employment and training opportunities for women, catering for up to 2,000 a week at its main site, satellite and outreach centres.

It has benefited from a £65,000 refurbishment, providing an information technology suite with 20 workstations, a creche and an outdoor children's play area.

The princess met the centre's management committee, staff and funders, and spoke to women benefiting from the project.

Sheila Davidson, project manager, said: "This visit acknowledged the hard work of everyone who has made Bridge the success it is.

"We were told the Princess Royal was very interested in the work of the project, and we are all completely thrilled she chose to visit us."

The princess went on to open the Kibblesworth Village Millennium Centre, in Gateshead, which she postponed opening last October after fog prevented her from flying.

Originally a school, then a youth club, the building was awarded almost £500,000 by the Millennium Commission in 1999 to be converted into an environmental and education centre.

The Princess Royal also visited the SSL pharmaceuticals factory in Peterlee, east Durham.