YACHTSMEN at a Hampshire sailing mecca are preparing to greet a royal visitor.

The Princess Royal, a keen sailor herself, is visiting the Royal Lymington Yacht Club next Thursday to open a new £300,000 pontoon.

She is patron of the club in Bath Road and has made several previous visits to its premises overlooking the entrance to the Lymington River.

The 2,400 members include high-profile sailors such as Olympic sailing hero and America’s Cup challenger Sir Ben Ainslie, six-times world match racing champion Ian Williams and Olympic gold medallist Pippa Wilson.

The 65-year-old princess will be greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire Mr Nigel Atkinson.

Others in the line-up will include the chairman of New Forest District Council, Cllr Alison Hoare; the club’s commodore, Dunlop Stewart; and the town mayor, Cllr Michael White.

A club spokesman said the new pontoon was funded by the club and its members.

He added: “The previous structure was more than 30 years old and beyond economic repair.

“ Its successor can provide berthing for up to ten yachts, 20 ribs and 75 dinghies, maximising the waterfront space available for the benefit of members.

“It incorporates several innovative features including Wi-Fi and security cameras.

“Additional space on the new pontoon has been set aside for use by young people learning to sail with the club’s community youth training programme, Wednesday Junior Sailing.”

The princess, the club’s patron since 1980, visited junior sailors in 2009 as part of the group’s 25th anniversary celebrations.