Princess Anne unveiled a special woven plaque on her visit to the Burnley-based John Spencer Textiles weaving mill.

The Princess Royal attended in her capacity as president of the UK Fashion and Textile Association to recognise owners and staff for their continued success in the industry and was presented with a recycled cotton throw which is woven and hand-finished at John Spencer Textiles. Next year sees the business - the last remaining traditional cotton weaver in the region - mark 150 years of continuous production in Burnley. John Spencer Textiles is one of the UK's largest weaving businesses and speaking after the event David Collinge, the sixth member of the Spencer family to run the business said: 'We are genuinely proud to be recognised in this way by The Princess Royal. 'It's an important milestone for the town too. We are living proof that the industry can survive and thrive here. Cotton may be where this all started, but the future is very different for our business.' The firm now weaves fabrics for the MOD, commercial and technical fabrics, interior furnishings, fashion and bespoke cloth which are exported across the world.