A NORTH Yorkshire company got the Royal seal of approval today when a VIP visitor came to town.

Prince Andrew drove the point home on the trip to thriving Thirsk firm Multidrive when he was invited to climb behind the wheel of one of their specialist 4x4 military vehicles.

Multidrive sells specially-designed heavy vehicles to constructors, farmers and military markets worldwide, and the Duke of York was invited in his role as special representative for UK exports.

The Thirsk firm has supplied military vehicles in the Gulf, tractors in New Zealand and Australia and construction trucks in South Africa.

Multidrive's managing director, Chris Chambers, said: "We are absolutely delighted with this visit. This acts as a nice focus for the company. It's a pat on the back for people here and it's an opportunity for more people to know about us."

He said the successful visit was a "feather in the cap" for the firm. He added: "We had a visitor who was actively interested in what he was been shown. He asked some very good questions."

On today's visit, the prince viewed a 3D computer design system, chatted with engineers and factory floor staff and watched a demonstration of vehicles in action.

Civic dignitaries at the event included the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Lord Crathorne; North Yorkshire County Council chairman Cliff Wilson; Chief Superintendent David Short, of North Yorkshire Police, and Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh.

The Duke, who flew into Bagby airfield, near Thirsk, by helicopter, also witnessed a presentation outlining the achievements of the firm, which employs 54 staff, since it was founded in 1996.

The visit was part of a day-long North Yorkshire tour, also due to include stops in Skipton, Northallerton and a trip on the community-run Wensleydale Railway.

Updated: 14:52 Friday, March 05, 2004