Princess Anne was in jovial mood as she met members of an Asian golfing society and staff from Seabrook Crisps during her visit to Bradford yesterday.

The Princess Royal laughed and joked with youngsters from inner-city Bradford who have benefited from the Waterton Park Asian Golf Society.

The royal visit was a proud moment for businessman Jas Athwal, 48, who set up the society a decade ago to get children from differing ethnic and social backgrounds to receive lessons from qualified golf coaches.

Mr Athwal escorted Her Royal Highness around a temporary golf green provided by Seabrook Crisps in the company’s grounds at Duncombe Street, Bradford.

Stepping on to the grassed area, where children were demonstrating their techniques, Princess Anne looked down at the lush grass and exclaimed: “This is the best turf I have ever seen! I’ve not seen anything as green as this anywhere.”

She then asked Mr Athwal where the idea of an Asian Golf Society came from. He explained that it was a way for him to pass on his love of the game to schoolchildren in Asian areas of Bradford.

The royal visitor was introduced to Neil Wendel-Jones, the head PGA professional at Calverley Golf Club, where the Asian Golf Society is based. He said: “She asked if it was a popular concept and whether the kids were enjoying themselves.”

And the children clearly were enjoying themselves, showing off their skills to the special guest by chipping golf balls over inflatable obstacles.

Hafiz Amin, aged ten, a pupil of Lidget Green Primary School, said: “It was exciting to play golf in front of the Princess. It’s a privilege.”

When a strong gust of wind blew one of the inflatable golf obstacles away, Princess Anne laughed heartily, pointed to the offending object and said: “That one appears to want to be a yacht rather than on a golf course.”

Her Royal Highness was then given a guided tour of the Seabrook factory and a presentation on the history of the company.

Ken Brook-Chrispin, chairman of Seabrook, said everyone at the company had been “extremely proud and excited” to welcome Princess Anne.

During her visit, she unveiled two plaques – one to mark ten years of the Asian Golf Society and the other to commemorate the official opening of Seabrook’s converted 19th century headquarters.