16/10/2012 - Staff at a Greenock factory had a surprise Royal visitor.

The Princess Royal was guest of honour at the Texas Instruments factory in Earnhill Industrial Estate.

Princess Anne was visiting staff and their children to see some of the work which goes on at the factory.

The visit was organised by Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire, Guy Clark.

Mr Clark said: “I thought it would be an ideal place for the Princess Royal to visit. “It was a royal visit to support the operation at Texas Instruments, which is a major employer in Greenock.”

Princess Anne was welcomed by the Lord Lieutenant before meeting Inverclyde Provost Robert Moran, council chief executive John Mundell and directors of Texas Instruments.

Her Royal Highness enjoyed a tour of the Greenock fabrication and design centre and met with employees.

She then unveiled a special plaque to commemorate the visit and also made presentations to the company’s community care team in honour of their work in the local area.

The team, which is made up of nine employees, has raised more than £155,000 for Inverclyde charities.

Jean-Francois Fau, president of TI Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “I’m pleased HRH had an opportunity to visit our Greenock site and recognise those who are making such a contribution to the Inverclyde area.”