LONG serving volunteer Maurice Birch had an unexpected meeting with Prince Charles when he attended a special reception at St James's Palace.

Mr Birch, from the Abbeyfield Society, Britain's largest provider of sheltered housing for the elderly, was a guest of the Prince at the Palace where a reception was held for more than 300 people from the society.

The Prince was due to meet just eight members, but stayed on a little longer, taking time to mingle with the majority of the volunteers, including Maurice, to ask how the society's work was progressing in Bury. "I just told him that it was going very well," said Maurice.

"What impressed me most was the really relaxed and friendly manner he had. He moved among all the people and spoke in a very friendly way to everyone."

Electrical contractor Maurice, of Dereham Close, Bury, has been with the society for 37 years and is the current chairman of the Bury group.

He is overseeing a project to refurbish premises on Tottington Road, providing more accommodation.