IT was a case of water, water everywhere when the Malvern Water factory rolled out the red carpet for one of its most important customers.

But the heavy downpours and grey skies failed to dampen the spirits of the Princess Royal who spent more than an hour chatting to staff and guests at the famous Coca-Cola-owned plant.

Wearing a navy dog-tooth checked suit, a cream Musto mac and navy shoes, Princess Anne looked relaxed yesterday as she toured the 150-year-old factory sporting a gold, white and blue headscarf.

The Princess - Britain's busiest Royal - pulled up at the Colwall plant at 1.30pm in a green Vauxhall four-by-four flanked by security guards.

She was said to have flown into the county by helicopter.

Andrew Perrins, High Sheriff of Herefordshire and Worcestershire, and his wife Nicky, greeted her at the gate along with Andrew Coker, Coca-Cola's communications director and Stephen Moorhouse, the company's operations director.

A handful of youngsters and their mums and grannies waved flags and cheered as the Princess emerged from the factory door.

Senior technical operator Chris Jones was the first to meet her as she stepped inside the plant, which is celebrating 92 years of Royal warrants and is said to produce the Royal household's favourite tipple.

"She asked how much things had changed in the 10 years I've been here," said the 33-year-old, who lives in Worcester.

"She was really interested in the plant and the bottling process. It was lovely meeting her - she's one of our best customers."

Nineteen-year-old Hannah Davies, who lives in Ledbury, started her Skill Start apprenticeship at the bottling plant just two months ago.

General manager Wayne Boden introduced her to the Princess.

"I've seen her before at horse events," said Hannah. "She's really kind, and chatty."

Seven-year-old Amie Bradshaw and her two-year-old sister Chloe joined their four-year-old cousin Holly Summers in waving flags outside the famous factory.

"It's really exciting meeting a princess," said Amie, who lives in Malvern. "My granny brought us here today."

But 10-year-old Ben Fletcher, waiting in the rain with his six-year-old sister Lizzie, was less impressed.

"I'd rather by playing football," he said.

Presents for the Princess

Disappointment at the Post Office

PATRIOTIC subpostmaster Ron Wills spent all morning decking out Colwall Post Office with Union Jacks in the hope the Princess Royal would drop in.

But despite the red, white and blue bunting, her driver sped out of the factory gates and headed straight for Malvern.

"We've been waiting for her to come out of the gates all day," said Mr Wills.

"But she drove out the other way and we never got to see her."

He said he, his wife Gillian and shop worker Yvonne Kilcline were "big royal fans".

"It's a real shame," he said.

"We were really hoping she'd come in and buy some liquorice so we could say she was a regular customer."