OLD soldiers enjoyed a relaxed cup of tea and a chat as they were presented to the Duke of Edinburgh during his whirlwind visit to Avoncroft Museum.

About 75 youngsters from nearby Ottilie Hild School cheered and waved flags as His Royal Highness Prince Philip arrived at the Stoke Heath site to meet members of the Worcester and Hereford branch of the Grenadier Guards' Association, of which he is honorary colonel.

Snow began to fall minutes before the Duke arrived and after being introduced to the museum's director, Dr Simon Penn, by the vice-Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Sir Geoffrey Dear, he quickly swept through the site's unique National Telephone Kiosk Collection before heading towards the warmth of New Guesten Hall.

Under the splendid carved medieval roof, he was introduced to the branch's recently retired secretary, and now vice-chairman, Ray Seale, branch chairman Hamish Gray-Cheape and president of the Grenadier Guards' Association nationwide, brigadier Blundell Hollinshead-Blundell.

He then set off around the hall, meeting and chatting with scores of branch members who had gathered for the special event, before posing for an historic group photograph.

His Royal Highness, dressed in a navy blue suit, seemed relaxed and at ease as he found out more about the members and was cracking jokes as photographers lined up to snap the assembled group.

Wheelchair-bound Norman Simms, of Alvechurch, was one of the lucky ones to be singled out for a chat with the Duke.

The 87-year-old told the Advertiser/Messenger: "I have always admired him so I was very pleased to meet him. It's an honour."

Branch vice-chairman Ray Seale led a hip-hip-hooray before the Duke headed off to Birmingham Airport.

Speaking to the Advertiser/Messenger afterwards, Dr Penn said: "It went very well, certainly from our point of view.

"His tour of the telephone collection was shorter than planned mainly because of the lure of tea and warmth in New Guesten Hall.

"He seemed to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and he clearly feels happy with ex-servicemen's organisations."