FIREFIGHTERS at the new £7.8m Highfields station gave the Princess Royal a real taste of life at the cutting edge when they were called out during her visit.

Princess Anne met the chief of Notts Fire and Rescue Authority Frank Swann and chairman Darrell Pulk when she arrived yesterday to officially open the new station in Hassocks Lane, Beeston.

Also there to greet the royal visitor were firefighters from red watch, retained firefighters and members of the specialist rescue and water rescue teams. She was shown around the new station by Mr Swann and Dave Horton, deputy chief fire officer.

Highfields has taken about three years to build and houses crews from the former Beeston and Dunkirk fire stations.

It has been designed to be environmentally friendly, using a rain water harvesting system, and it also has rooms that will be used by different community groups.

Princess Anne was shown the new facilities for groups and saw three fire engines and five specialist rescue vehicles on display.

She unveiled a plaque and signed the visitors' book at the entrance to the station.

She said: "It is brand new and it is a major investment in the fire service, and, more importantly, the fact that it involves the community and the opportunity to build those links.

"I hope that you enjoy your new home and it fulfills your ambitions."

A crew was called out as the Princess walked around but the 'shout' did not disrupt the ceremony.

Jane Holmes, a retained firefighter at the station who was introduced to the Princess, said: "She asked me how long I had been in the service, how I got into it and if it was a tough job. I said it was hard.

"It was good for her to come down and see it."

Fellow retained firefighter Steve Swain, who is now based at Highfields having moved there on Sunday, said: "We now have a lot more appliances and equipment here, as well as the specialist rescue tender. It was definitely good to have the Princess here."