SERVICE users and staff at the David Lewis Centre in Great Warford were delighted when the Countess of Wessex flew in by helicopter to visit them last week.

The Countess of Wessex is patron of the centre, and the visit was her third to the organisation.

During her visit the Countess unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening of JDs Residents’ Club and sensory garden.

The club provides a range of activities for the adult residents, many of who had the opportunity to meet the Countess.

She then moved on to the college, where she met students taking part in a sports session on specially-adapted bikes.

She also enjoyed a coffee and cupcake in the College Juice Bar, which is run by the students as part of their work experience programme.

Samuel Merrick, a college student, presented the Countess with a framed display of students’ photography.

The final part of the morning was a visit to Laurel House, which is a newly-opened house enabling four people to live semi-independently.

The Countess signed the visitors’ book and was shown around the accommodation by Leon Waszkiel.

Anthony Waters, the chief executive at the centre, said: “We were delighted to welcome HRH Countess of Wessex back to David Lewis.

“Our service users and staff enjoy meeting and chatting with the Countess, and she is always extremely interested in the work we do here at David Lewis.

“We had been worried about the weather, and umbrellas were on standby, but thankfully it was a lovely sunny day.”