PRINCESS Beatrice of York has visited the York Mystery Plays costume workshops to see some of the 3,000 items being made for the outdoor spectacular this summer.

The princess, whose father, the Duke of York, is one of the plays’ patrons, decided she wanted to learn more after hearing about the production when she visited the Yorkshire Museum with The Queen in April.

She spoke yesterday to Anna Gooch, who has designed the costumes – all inspired by the fashions of the 1940s and 1950s – and also met some of the 60 volunteers who are helping to create them.

Janet Barnes, chief executive of York Museums Trust, said she was thrilled the princess had chosen to come back and see first hand the pride and passion that people in York had for the plays, which will be staged in the Museum Gardens throughout August.

• See The Press tomorrow for a report on an additional visit by Princess Beatrice to York Minster.