Royalty was in town when HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO visited a school in Bromley this week (July 3).

She visited pupils at Baston School House to congratulate them on winning the Alice Street Trophy for the garden they had designed.

Other dignitaries at the event included Anna Kennedy OBE, autism ambassador for the Outcomes First Group, councillor Kathy Bance MBE, Mayor of Bromley and colonel Robert Murfin TD DL, Deputy Lieutenant of Bromley.

Twenty students created the colourful wildlife-friendly cottage garden which features an array of sunflowers, marigolds, poppies, snapdragons and vegetables.

With a low environmental impact, it also involves four compost bins and a wormery to dispose of food waste from the school while they regularly harvest produce to use in food technology lessons.

The school is an Outcomes First Group centre of excellence in education that helps children, aged between five and 19, with an autism spectrum condition (ASC).

Sally Pettitt, placements manager at Baston School House, said: “A royal visit is a first for us and the students were absolutely delighted.

“Our goal is to break down the barriers to learning that our students encounter and to help them equip themselves for as independent as life as possible outside of school.

“Royal recognition of our beautiful school garden created by our students is a fitting tribute to them and the great life skills they have acquired here.”