PRINCE Charles and his wife Camilla had a lucky escape when lightning struck only yards from where they were presenting awards at the Three Counties Show.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall were shaken by two jolts of lightning and monumental thunder as a torrent of rain hit the Malvern show.

While hundreds of show-goers fled for cover, HRH kept his cool and finished off handing out long service awards to members of the Three Counties Agricultural Society.

Afterwards he quipped: "It's 29 years since I've been in Malvern and I will certainly remember this visit."

The drama struck as the Royal Couple carried out their last official duty at the show.

Hundreds of showgoers, VIPS and society members gathered around as Prince Charles handed out awards from a stage in the showgrounds at about 2.30pm.

Suddenly, thunder and lightning struck and the crowd gasped as torrential rain bucketed down on proceedings.

Hundreds fled for cover but many remained to see the Prince finish his duties.

The royal couple were then escorted to a waiting car, waving to the applauding crowd as they left.

No one was hurt in the incident and the show will go on tomorrow and Sunday.

Beforehand, Charles and Camilla were able to take an extensive tour of the show in the bright sunshine, shaking hands with award winners and stopping to talk with members of the public.

Charles wore a grey suit, light blue shirt and sunglasses.

Camilla, was dressed in a pale yellow jacket and summery white skirt.

"She's lovely," said one visitor, Margarite Bufton, of Ledbury, who was waiting with baited breath to catch a sight of the Royal couple when they arrived just after 11am.

"She's so natural looking and it was nice to see them together, to see them in the flesh," she added.

In the food and drink hall, where dozens of local producers and businesses were selling their goods, Charles and Camilla sampled cider and perry produced here in the Three Counties. Charles tried a glass of Kingston Black, a single variety cider made in Worcester by Barbourne Cider.

Richard Reynolds, who runs the small company, said: "There was quite a big built up and we were told that a special guest would be visiting the stall.

"Camilla asked whether there was much tasting going on later and he tried some of the Kingston Black. He said it was very pleasant."

Staff from Tyrells Potato Chips were delighted when The Duchess stopped at their stall said the hand-made crisps, made in Herefordshire, were her favourite.

"It was really exciting and she clearly knew about the business," said Camilla Bond, PR manager for the company.

"We were pleased to be able to send her off with some asparagus and crushed black pepper chips and some vegetable chips, which she said she loved. Hopefully she had a nibble in the helicopter on the way home."

The couple, who stood close and chatted quietly to each other throughout the day, also visited the brand new cheese and dairy produce tent, toured the livestock rings, taking in the National Angora Goat Show and the Shropshire Sheep Breeders' Association and Flock Book Society, before presenting the long service awards to members of the society who have completed 30 or more years continual service.