The Princess Royal took time out of a busy schedule to visit a sheltered housing complex in north Suffolk today.

The Queen's only daughter spent just over an hour at Kessingland, near Lowestoft, to officially open Marram Green, a very sheltered housing development which has been at the centre of the village since it was built in 2009.

After touring the building and meeting residents, the Princess - who will spend the afternoon at the Suffolk Show near Ipswich - was serenaded by local choir Prime Time Group and children from Kessingland Primary School's Top Time Group.

Speaking after Jane Ingram, centre manager at Marram Green, said: 'It was absolutely wonderful and a great day for Kessingland.'

The complex, which is owned by Flagship, also houses parish council offices, a Waveney District Council office, a citizens advice bureau, community cafe and library.

Despite today's celebratory atmosphere, the royal visit was bittersweet for some with Kessingland's library under threat of closure. While Suffolk County Council's controversial plans to offload its libraries have been scaled back, supporters fear the village branch could still shut and staged a peaceful protest outside the Marram Green this morning.

• See Friday's Journal for full coverage.