Haworth textile firm Wyedean Weaving rolled out the red carpet yesterday for a Royal visit by the Duke of Kent.

The visit to the firm's Bridgehouse Mill base was arranged by the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire's office following a Keighley News article about Wyedean producing more than 50 miles of special ribbon for the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal.

The duke was accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Bradford Lord Mayor Ghazanfer Khaliq and Keighley MP Ann Cryer.

He was met by Wyedean managing director Robin Wright and production director Andrew Harrison, and heard a brief presentation about the company's 150-year history and the products it makes.

The party then toured the four-storey mill, which specialises in braids, medal ribbons and other accoutrements for military uniforms. More than 40 per cent of its output is exported, mainly to former colonies where the British military traditions are still followed. In November, Wyedean gained its biggest ever single contract for medal ribbon -- to supply the special ribbon for the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, which will be issued to 180,000 servicemen and women this year.

The ribbon is still in production, and with on-going requirements will total more than 50 miles in length.

Mr Wright was impressed with the duke's knowledge the firm's products. "He is former army so he recognised many of the items we make and knew what they were for," he said.