PRINCE Charles proved he was a real smoothie when he was offered a slug of whisky - but asked for a pint of Thwaites instead!

And the Prince of Wales gave the Royal seal of approval to his pint of Smooth, but decided not to finish it because he didn't want to get too tipsy.

Charles was on a visit to the Craven Heifer Hotel in the Yorkshire Dales as part of a boost to foot and mouth-hit areas when he was offered a large malt whisky and a jug of water by Tom Sharp, a part-time barman who was also a farmer.

As he took a sip he said to Mr Sharp: "I think I ought to try a Thwaites."

Mr Sharp - who lost all his sheep flock in May this year in a cull which he says devastated the local community - then pulled him a pint of the Thwaites bitter with an inch-thick creamy head.

The Prince took a sip, remarked how all beers taste different and said: "That's very good."

Then, realising he still had the whisky, he continued: "This mixing is going to make it very exciting."

The Prince then exchanged jokes and Christmas greetings with regulars at the bar before moving around the pub leaving the Blackburn-brewed pint on the bar in favour of the Scotch.

Thwaites managing director Paul Baker, who met the Prince, said: "We're thrilled Prince Charles liked his pint of Smooth. He's obviously a man with plenty of taste!"

Earlier the prince had been welcomed to Stainforth by children from two local schools singing Christmas carols.

He wished the youngsters Happy Christmas and asked them what presents they were getting.

The Prince then moved on to tour the tiny shop and post office run by the pub's landlord and landlady, Debbie and Michael Prior.

Mr and Mrs Prior's business was chosen as the launch for the Pub Is The Hub guide by the Countryside Agency as the couple have spent the last year since they took over the inn developing it as a centre for all the community's needs.

Mrs Prior told the Prince how they had set up the shop and post office and he took an interest in all the stock. He eventually bought a sticky toffee pudding, a Christmas stamp and a small Wensleydale cheese, handing over a £10 note he already had in his hand.

Mrs Prior said: "I think I'm overcharging you."

To which the Prince replied: "It doesn't matter, it will pay for my drink."

After the visit Mrs Prior said it was a great boost for the area "devastated" by foot-and-mouth.

She said: "It was brilliant to get his endorsement for what we are doing."