A ROYAL guest was welcomed to Teesside as he celebrated the progress of local businesses.

The Duke of Gloucester visited Wilton Engineering at its Port Clarence Offshore Base, in Teesside, in honour of the company’s 25th anniversary.

The Duke of Gloucester was greeted by pupils from nearby High Clarence Primary School waving flags on arrival before he met local dignitaries, Wilton directors led by chief executive Bill Scott OBE and representatives of the workforce.

During the visit, he was given a tour of the 54-acre facility owned by Wilton Engineering on the banks of the River Tees, and unveiled a plaque to mark the company’s milestone.

Wilton Engineering provides multi-discipline engineering services, specialising in fabricating large complicated structures, construction, coatings and services for the onshore and offshore energy industries.

Following the visit, Wilton CEO Bill Scott said: “We are exceptionally honoured to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester to Wilton as part of our 25th anniversary celebrations. Everyone involved in the business is very proud of the achievements we have made establishing ourselves.

“It is testament to the dedication, tenacity and commitment of each and everyone who has worked for the company, in the past and present, and played a part in our growth developing a positive culture for the business, which is an essential part of everything we do.”

Earlier in the day, His Royal Highness visited Tomlinson Hall, in Billingham, and took part in a tour of the 1.5-acre office and workshop sites to commemorate the company’s 100-year milestone.