Flood victims welcome visit from Charles and Camilla

5:23pm Friday 27th July 2007

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By Alicia Kelly »

THE PRINCE of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall gave the people of Upton-upon-Severn a vital boost when they visited the flooded town yesterday.

Flood victims and firefighters were among those who met the royal couple on an informal walkabout of the town's High Street and New Street.

They arrived at 1pm and spoke to Upton firefighters on duty during the flooding before visiting the owners of affected homes in New Street.

One, Pat Martin, said: "I thanked them for coming because it does cheer us up a bit."

The 75-year-old said she had shared a joke with the Duchess, who was wearing a beige and green flowered dress with a pale green shawl and pearls, telling her she was rescued from her home with a fireman's lift.

She added: "I thought he was lovely and natural.

"And I could have been talking to a relative talking to Camilla."

The couple also visited Ye Old Anchor pub in the High Street where Prince Charles was given a half a Guinness in a make-shift bar set up after the flood.

Landlady Kate Harding and her daughter Abigail greeted him with Abigail, aged 4, asking: "Do you have a sword and shield?"

The Prince replied: "I left it in the helicopter but I managed to kill a dragon this morning."

Ms Harding said: "He's a really cool guy, really down-to-earth."

Son Charlie, 6, was less impressed and said: "He looked old."

During the hour-long visit, the Prince, who wore red shoes rather than wellies, stopped to sympathise with passerbys and posed for a mobile phone picture with teenagers Stuart Sorrell, 15, Jimmy Woodyatt, 16 and Will Brown, 16.

Stuart said: "He shook my hand. It was awesome."

He also made an unscheduled stop to the Pepperpot Pantry cafe after being invited by owner John Hutchinson.

Although initially saying he did not have time the Prince had a change of heart when Mr Hutchinson told him: "I need all the publicity I can get in difficult times."

The Prince and Duchess took away some homemade chocolate biscuit cake before visiting Upton Fruit and Veg owner Nicholas Underhill.

The royal couple also met people from the Environment Agency, Mercia Inshore Search and Rescue and the Prince was given a t-shirt by organisers of the Upton Blues Festival.

Councillor Derek Prodger, who was one of the civic dignatries invited to the event, said: "People really appreciate it.

"It does a tremendous amount to boost people."