Royal praise for Shropshire

Shropshire has received a letter of Royal approval from the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh following their visit to the county.

The letter, from Buckingham Palace, has been sent to The Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire, Algernon Heber-Percy, praising the day the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh spent in Shropshire last month.

The Letter reads: "In what was a varied and interesting programme, ranging from the large public gatherings at Telford and Ludlow to the relative intimacy of Much Wenlock and Craven Arms, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness were delighted to have had the opportunity to meet so many representatives of Shropshire life.

"The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh were received most generously throughout and have since reflected happily on a marvellous day."

The visit, on 10 July, was the Royal couple's first to the county in 20 years.

During the tour they visited historic landmarks, including the Iron Bridge, as well as modern venues such as the Secret Hills Discovery Centre in Craven Arms, as they travelled between Telford and Ludlow.

Mr Heber-Percy says: "The letter is a great tribute to all who worked so hard in whatever capacity to make the day such a happy one.

"I do warmly thank everyone who contributed to the visit's undoubted success."