ART created by disabled people in Dorset has received the royal seal of approval.

HRH The Princess Royal viewed the artwork – which had been created at Livability's Holton Lee wellbeing discovery centre, near Wareham, and at Poole's Victoria Education Centre – at a special London event called 'Meet the Makers'.

Princess Anne, who is patron of the Livability charity, toured the gallery and even met some of the artists, who were all disabled people from a range of Livability services across the UK.

Some of the metal works on display in the gallery had been made by repurposing horse shoes.

HRH, who was the first member of the royal family to have competed in the Olympics, when she took part in the equestrian three-day event at the 1976 Montreal games, took a special interest.

She said: "Now we all know what to do with old horseshoes, you'll be inundated with them."

The princess also encouraged all those gathered to think about embracing the role of arts in their own lives, saying: "It is never too late."

She added: "Thank you for setting the best possible example for how to support individuals to be individuals and respond to their own creativity."

Meet the Makers included work from children and students at Victoria Education Centre, and art and ceramics from people at Holton Lee.

A Livability spokesman said: "Work was profiled along with wider exhibits which included a Beatles inspired jigsaw dress, fiery dragon, metal work sculpture and bumble bee mosaic.

"The aim of the event was to highlight the importance of art and creativity in the wellbeing and health outcomes of disabled people.

"The charity also launched their Brightening Lives appeal to raise awareness and funds for creative activities at their services."