Her Royal Highness Princess Anne visited Weston this week to officially re-open the Grand Pier three years after it was destroyed by fire.

Princess Anne last visited the town back in 2008 where she saw the fire ravaged pier first-hand and met with the owners and those involved in plans to rebuild the landmark. Since her last visit the pier and surrounding public space has undergone a transformation.

Crowds of people waving Union Jack flags lined the streets as the Queen’s daughter unveiled a plaque to commemorate the official reopening of the pier.

The Echo understands that Princess Anne also opened the public space situated near the pier that will now be known as the Princess Royal Square. The Royal guest learnt how work had first begun on the square in 2010 and cost around £3.9 million.

The princess also viewed the new tourist information centre and met local residents.

A visit of such magnitude can only be good news for business in the town and the Echo believes local traders will have been given a boost from this Royal seal of approval.

A devastating fire has destroyed the Royal Pier Hotel in Weston super Mare with over 30 fire engines on the scene the fire service expect to be on scene overnight.

Last year the same hotel was attacked by arsonists which destroyed the roof and the upper floors and has been left in an insecure and ruined state until today’s blaze which has threatened nearby buildings including the Captains Cabin and the Anchor Hotel.

A fire has broken out at Lidl in Worle opposite the Summer House in Weston super Mare this morning. Fire fighters are fighting what is believed to be a serious fire at the supermarket which is currently having an extension built, it is not known if the fire is related to the building work.

Summer Lane and New Bristol Road are closed, with the residents of Thorne Close having been evacuated to Sainsburys until the fire is under control. No trains are stopping at Worle Station and motorists are advised to seek alternative routes into Weston.

UPDATE: The fire which has consumed most of the supermarket leaving the building in imminent danger of collapse has meant that fire crews have been unable to get inside to fully extinguish the blaze, gas bottle heating which has been used recently to temporarily heat the store is believed to have added to the ferocity of the fire and has caused several explosions which caused the police and fire brigade to evacuate local residents. 15 fire engines from all across North Somerset have been called in as more than 60 firefighters are on the scene.

The resulting road closures which include Summer Lane, New Bristol Road, and part of Worle High Street has caused traffic chaos on roads leading in and out of the town with cars queued all the way back to Morrison’s along the dual-carriageway.

Published first on the Weston Echo, more news as it happens…