THE Duke of Kent is due to take a whistle-stop tour of Worcestershire today.

Prince Edward - who is the Queen’s cousin - will spend most of the day in Worcester meeting front-line workers and learning about local trade.

He plans to visit Worcestershire County Council’s headquarters County Hall, as well as heating manufacturer Worcester Bosch and the Chamber of Commerce headquarters in Warndon.

At County Hall, the Duke will meet with the council’s call centre staff as well as members of the Worcestershire Youth Cabinet before officially opening the recently refurbished council chamber and unveiling a plaque to commemorate his visit.

At Worcester Bosch in Cotswold Way, Warndon, he will tour the factory and present local schoolgirl Abbie Brighton, aged eight, with a certificate in recognition of her winning Worcester’s Environment 2020 art competition.

Carl Arntzen, sales and marketing director at Worcester Bosch Group said: “We are honoured to host such a prestigious visit.

“The company prides itself on being at the forefront of new technology for domestic home heating, and we are very aware of the critical need to conserve non-renewable energy resources and minimise environmental damage.

“It is a real endorsement of Worcester’s strategy to see a member of the Royal Family take such a passionate interest in our products.”

The Prince will also squeeze in a trip to the Elgar Birthplace Museum, the childhood home of Worcestershire’s famous son Sir Edward Elgar, in Lower Broadheath, near Worcester.