There was an air of excitement at the National Star College yesterday when Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra dropped in for a visit.

The Princess, a cousin of The Queen, was given a guided tour of the Ullenwood college, where she was welcomed by staff, students and dignitaries.

The visit, which saw the Princess arrive by helicopter, gave her the chance to see how the college operates on a normal working day.

And staff and students at the facility, which caters for people with physical and learning difficulties, were only too happy to chat.

Jake Nickels, 17, who is studying for a B-tech in sports, said: "It was a great day. There was a real sense of excitement around the place.

"I got to speak to the Princess about my course. It was fantastic that she showed such an interest."

Amy Miller, a 17-year-old IT student, had the chance to show Princess Alexandra how the college's library system worked.

"It was great," she said. "I was really proud to be able to show her about our library system, which enables us to get to the books.

"I also told her about my creative writing – something which I am hugely passionate about."

The Princess also visited the student residences, classrooms, physiotherapy department, and sports centre, where she watched students take part in adapted ball games boccia and polybat.

Jamie White, 16, from Wootton Bassett, said: "It was brilliant to meet the princess, although I'd have liked to have given her a game at polybat."

During the tour, which included a music workshop rehearsal in the college's performing arts department, the Princess was presented with a posy of flowers by second year student Bernadette Waitson.

Helen Sexton, principal and chief executive of the National Star College, said: "We were delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness to the National Star College.

"It was an honour to be able to show her around and introduce her to our staff and students."

Sir Henry Elwes, Lord-Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, added: "The Star College is a national facility, which provides a vital service to people with physical and learning difficulties from all over the country.

"A royal visit such as this gives an enormous support to the staff who dedicate their lives to working here."

Princess Alexandra's visit came just days after Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will visit Cheltenham's GCHQ intelligence centre next week.