When the Duke of York dropped into Stamford Bridge he was given a memento of his last visit - a picture of the floods that engulfed the village in the spring.

A smiling Prince Andrew arrives in Stamford Bridge

But there was no watery welcome for the Duke from local children who waved Union Jacks as they waited for him outside McKechnie Plastic Components in the village.

He was visiting the firm to see how it has become one of the largest employers in a mainly agricultural district, with about 300 employees making items for international companies - including parts for Dyson vacuum cleaners and "widgets" for Guinness drinks cans.

The Duke also met nine-year-old Gemma Dyson, a pupil at Stamford Bridge Primary School, who won a competition to design this year's company Christmas and Millennium greetings card for McKechnie with an imaginative image of a figure of a snowman and the number 2000.

Afterwards her mother Linda, of The Paddock, Wilberfoss, who teaches at Stamford Bridge Primary School, said they had only found out about meeting the Duke about a week ago. "It's a day to remember forever," she said.

Gemma also presented the Royal visitor with the picture of the floods, which McKechnie managing director Brian Mann said would remind him of his visit to see the effects of the Derwent breaking its banks.

"And you didn't get wet?" quipped the Duke.

"I was in China," said Mr Mann.

In fact the firm, which was founded in 1930, was spared the floodwater.

The Duke went round the plant, chatting to staff, including machine operator Jason Wilson.

He said: "He asked me about the machine I was operating, which makes parts for Dyson vacuums.

"He's my favourite member of the Royal Family, he seems to be the most likeable and friendly of them all."

Mark Lawson said: "He seemed like a nice bloke and he was less posh than I expected."

For Mick Cocker it was a renewal of an old acquaintance, for he met Prince Andrew ten years ago in York when he first became Duke of York. He said the Duke told him the factory workers seemed happy.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.