RAIN couldn't dampen Prince Charles' spirits when he abandoned his limousine to go back to school in Preston this week.

Despite the downpour the smiling visitor walked from Preston North End's Deepdale ground to Moor Park High cheered on by hundreds of excited pupils.

He wanted to see how local businesses are helping students with their work and the Young Enterprise scheme.

Some youngsters were lucky enough to chat to their special guest including 14-year-old Ranveer Kaur who said: "He was really friendly.

"He asked about school dinners which I didn't expect a Prince to talk about but I'm glad to have stayed here in the rain now I've talked to him." The Prince of Wales was presented with a colourful bowl made by 16-year-old Ridwana Malji for her GCSE ceramics exam.

She said "He liked it. It took me a long time to make but I didn't know who it was for and had no idea I would give it to the Prince.

"He loved the school," she added: "And I might send him some photos now of his visit."

Teacher Peter Stewart said everyone had benefited from his visit. He said: "I thanked him for what he has done for the children. He was very nice and pleasant." The Prince also met representatives from BNFL, BAe, Eric Wright Construction, Telewest Communications and James Hall and Co, all of which support the school.

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