SURPRISED shoppers in Worcester did a double take this weekend when former Prime Minster Baroness Margaret Thatcher popped into the city to have her hair done.

The Iron Lady visited Friar Street salon Classic Cuts and bought knitwear at nearby store Felice on Saturday during a private trip to the county.

Her five-day stay culminated with a visit to Worcestershire County Cricket ground today to see how the club was recovering from its flooding troubles.

Lady Thatcher, now aged 81, viewed the pitch with president Peter Seward and chairman Martyn Price before enjoying tea and biscuits with staff in the cricket suite.

Cynthia Crawford, Lady Thatcher's personal assistant of 29 years, said: "Lady T was very distraught to see the flooding of this area and particularly upset to see people have lost their homes and were having to live in caravans.

"This is her annual trip down to Worcester and she almost always comes to the city ground so we made it our business to come so she could see the recovery of New Road."

She added: "She wants to send everyone who is affected by floods her very best wishes for the future."

Mrs Crawford said Lady Thatcher was a great fan of Worcestershire cricket and had enjoyed her weekend in the county.

She said: "We've been to an Elgar concert and yesterday we had a lovely lunch with local friends at the Venture Inn at Ombersley.

"On Saturday we did some shopping at Felice where she bought some nice Autumn clothes."

Classic Cuts owner Teresa Trimnell said her famous customer had visited the salon many times during the last four years.

Mrs Trimnell said: "On Saturday, she walked down Friar Street and there were a few raised eyebrows. I think she shocked a few people sitting drinking coffee outside Cafe Rouge.

"One of our client's said, that's a dead ringer for Margaret Thatcher'."

Mrs Trimnell added: "She's a lovely lady. Four years ago I was quite nervous about doing her hair but she comes quite often so now I just get on and do my job."

Mr Seward said: "She thought that the ground and everywhere looked superb and was very, very impressed with the view."