The Walton, Weybridge and Hersham Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) was given the royal seal of approval by Princess Anne last week.

Visiting in her capacity as patron of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureau, the Princess Royal officially opened the new office at the Elmbridge Community Hub on Thursday, January 23.

The visit also coincided with the 10th anniversary of the bureau’s domestic abuse outreach service.

On arrival to the community hub, High Street, Walton, Princess Anne was greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Dame Sarah Goad, Robert Moran, chief executive of Elmbridge Council, and Dominic Raab, MP for Esher and Walton.

Jane Bourgeois, manager of Walton, Weybridge and Hersham CAB, said: “It has been a great privilege to receive a visit from her royal highness and a wonderful recognition of the work of the bureau and the domestic abuse outreach as well as a celebration of our new office and anniversary of the north Surrey domestic abuse outreach.”

Princess Anne ended her visit by unveiling a plaque and cutting the domestic abuse outreach birthday cake.

The Walton bureau opened in 1942 at a temporary building at Elm Grove and moved to the old library building in Walton after Elmbridge Council refurbished it last year.

Since the north Surrey domestic abuse outreach opened in 2003, 6,314 woman and 583 who are affected by domestic abuse.

Anyone needing help from the citizens advice bureau should call 01932 248660 or email waltoncab@cabnet.org.uk.