Prince Charles greeted by huge crowds in Shropshire

Prince Charles was given a taste of all the county has to offer – including a drop of real ale – during visits to Ludlow and Telford yesterday.

During a walkabout in Ludlow, the prince responded to a call from the crowd by Mick Sargent, cellar man at the Church Inn, and agreed to taste a sample of Ludlow Gold beer.

• Scroll down for video of Prince Charles in Telford

Mr Sargent, 71, who lives in Jockeyfields said: "I shouted to him 'Sir! I have something you look like you might need'.

"He came over and asked what it was and I told him it was a pint of Ludlow Gold I wanted him to taste. He agreed, had a good taste of it and said it was very good beer. He said he couldn't drink it all as he was heading to church."

After his visit to St Laurence's Church and the town's Jubilee Garden, the prince headed for Telford to visit a charity he founded.

In Kind Direct in 1996 redistributes surplus goods from manufacturers and retailers to UK charities.

CEO Robin Boles greeted the prince and said it was the first time he had visited the warehouse, in Stafford Park. She said: "It is exciting for the people here. He has known about it and now he can see it in action."

By the time he arrived in the Ironbridge Gorge, he had been on something of a magical history tour which ended in the valley where the birth of the Industrial Revolution is celebrated.

He ended his busy day in Shropshire in one of the places he most enjoys – the world famous museum complex which has visited on a number of occasions.

Deputy chairman of the Gorge Museum Trust Gaye Blake-Roberts, who lives near Wellington, escorted Prince Charles round the complex and said later: "As patron, he is so supportive and informed – he always reads the various papers we send him regularly concerning the museums."

Read more in today's Shropshire Star.