THE 621 Volunteer Gliding School, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, is flying high after a visit from former air cadet Prince Andrew.

The squadron had a surprise for the Prince, who served as a helicopter pilot in the Royal Navy, when they borrowed from a private collector the glider in which he first flew solo as an cadet.

The prince, who arrived at the squadron's base in Hullavington by helicopter on Friday unveiled a picture, which was commissioned to mark the anniversary. It depicted one of the school's original Zedbergh gliders, dating from the late 1940s, flying alongside its modern counterpart, the Viking Six.

Sqadron Leader David Woolcock, 49, who works as an engineer at Airbus UK, said: "He was very interested and obviously very knowledgeable because he has flown gliders before.

"At the end he said he can still remember the sound gliders make when they're flying. He led the way as opposed to being led and he wanted to meet people and get involved."

The squadron was founded in Weston-super-Mare in Somerset in 1943, but later moved to Wiltshire.

Its 40 volunteer instructors train youths from 100 different Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force RAF units across the region.

The prince appeared relaxed and in good spirits as he was given a guided tour of the squadron's hangar.

It was the first royal visit to the school.

The prince was introduced to commanding officers before meeting a detachment of cadets from Bristol who showed him around one of the school's modern gliders.

He also met the families of the flying instructors before posing for pictures with staff and the cadets.

The prince also had a whistle-stop tour of two Swindon's manufacturing plants.

He was supporting British Trade International, a Government body which supports UK companies and encourages foreign investment.

He was visiting both plants because of their foreign ownership.

He began by visiting Swindon Pressings, owned by the German BMW group.

After being greeted by managing director Bob Bolam, he donned safety glasses before walking out on to the factory floor.

He spoke to plant employees and several apprentices.

Neil Drew, the training co-ordinator at the plant said: "I was quite nervous about speaking to him but he seemed very interested in what we do."

Prince Andrew then spoke to Aaron Prictor, an apprentice at the plant.

After a short tour of Swindon Pressings the prince as driven to the £1.15 billion Honda car plant at South Marston.

In spite of heavy rain, a royal standard was raised and the royal car stopped outside the reception building.

The prince toured the factory's number two production facility which manufactures Honda Civics.

Eddie Kembery, the plant manager, said: "He seemed extremely impressed with the factory and the manufacturing processes and spent lots of time talking to our associates.

"We enjoyed the opportunity to talk with him."