A roaring crowd greeted Prince Charles in Bradford on Avon on Friday when he visited the town to open two historic landmarks.

Arriving in glorious sunshine, the royal helicopter landed in Victory Fields and from there the Prince was escorted to Barton Grange Farm to open the newly renovated West Barn.

West Wiltshire MP Andrew Murrison, town and district councillors, and Bradford mayor Vicky Landell-Mills greeted the prince at the West Barn, where he took a guided tour with Margaret Dobson, chairman of Bradford on Avon Preservation Trust, which renovated the barn.

Back outside, the prince met more members of the public who lined the walkway to the Tithe Barn.

John Cole, a steward for the Preservation Trust, said: "We're so pleased the prince chose to visit the Barn but I suppose this sort of historical event is right up his street.

"He worked the crowd very well and managed to find time to say hello to a lot of people, which is wonderful."

Annabel Bowen-Nielsen, aged six, handed the prince a posy of flowers, which he accepted with a smile. Her mother, Karen said: "He is such a charming man.

"My daughter is Danish, and we have only been in England for six months. She has been wanting to meet someone royal since we arrived, so now her wish has come true."

The prince then travelled by car to Bradford Wharf to open the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust's new tea shop, but as he stepped out of the car the heavens opened, and he dashed inside to sign the visitors book.

The weather could not dampen the cheers from the huge crowd of children from Fitzmaurice School who chanted the prince's name from the other side of the canal.

The Reverend Peter Atwill, chaplain for the Kennet & Avon Canal, said: "I spoke to the prince and he asked me all about my floating Chaplaincy. I had to explain how I was based on the Gospel Belle barge, and he seemed very interested in everything about the canal and the boats on it."

The prince met several members of the Canal Trust shop staff, including its longest serving member, Peggy Bennet.

David Jupp, Kennet & Avon Canal Trust volunteer, said: "We are pleased he met so many of the people who have worked so hard on this project. The shop was an absolute mess over Christmas and I didn't think we would ever get it ready in time but somehow we managed it and suddenly it is all worthwhile."