Delight

The sun was out when the Duke visited Stourport Canal Basins yesterday to share the celebration of a provisional approval for a £1.7m Heritage Lottery Fund grant to regenerate the area.

The Duke, who has a keen interest in civil engineering, was greeted by British Waterways general manager Tony Harvey.

Mr Harvey gave him a brief history and a guided tour before the Duke planted a Horbeam Carpinus tree to commemorate his visit.

Mr Harvey presented the Duke with a 1776 sketch of the basins, which he seemed delighted with.

He listened intently as he was told about the history of the site and the plans to regenerate the area with the Lottery money, before admiring the range of boats in the basin.

"I expect it's a nice and peaceful life, not for you perhaps but for people on their boats," the Duke joked.

Mr Harvey said the Duke said was fascinated with the basin and was very supportive of the project.

"I think the visit is a real tribute to the efforts with our partners for the regeneration project. It needs tender loving care and that's what we plan to give it," he said.

Mayor of Stourport Stephen Clee said the visit was a great event for the town.

"This is the first royal visit in 30 years so we're delighted he's found time in his busy schedule to come and see us," he said.

"It boosts the town and he's shown great interest."

The Duke then toured carpet designers Forte Cloth.

He was fascinated with the computer-generated designs and said: "This must be a fantastic tool."

The Duke was presented with a design of his coat of arms by the managing director of Forte Cloth, Ian Wallace.

The small crowd was enthusiast about the royal visit.

Boater Barbara Charles, aged 54, said: "I think it's brilliant to get our little town on the map. The sun's out and he's seen Stourport at its best."

Before visiting Stourport, the Duke toured a Kidderminster speed camera firm and opened the town's new £60m shopping complex.

A helicopter dropped off the distinguished guest at Monitron, which has pioneered the use of digital cameras on Britain's roads after revolutionising the "intelligent" pedestrian crossing.

The Duke was given a guided tour of the company, at Birchen Coppice Trading Estate, and saw the process of making a speed camera - from the tough outer casing to the sophisticated computer monitoring systems.

The Duke then made an appearance at the Weavers Wharf development, which has transformed a barren industrial landscape into a major town centre shopping attraction.

The royal visitor unveiled a plaque on the wall of De Bradelei Mill, a department store built inside a former wool factory, after being shown around new stores including The Sony Centre, Julian Graves and Co-op Travel Ultra.

He was one of the first visitors through the doors of Marks & Spencer, which opened today in the complex after relocating from the town centre, and met pupils from seven local schools.