PRINCE Charles enjoyed a perfect royal engagement when a visit to Wadworth Brewery in Devizes combined his love of horses, art and tradition.

The Prince of Wales was relaxed and cheerful as he spent time at both the beginning and end of his visit shaking hands with people of all ages who had gathered to catch a glimpse of him outside the brewery's New Park Street entrance.

Children from Southbroom Infants and Trinity Primary waved flags as the prince arrived just after noon today to support the Pub Is The Hub initiative which he helped found in 2001.

But in addition to showing his support for the campaign to help pubs survive and thrive, he also had a chance to meet Shire horses Monty, Max and Archie and try his hand at pub sign writing and pulling a pint of 6X.

He put the finishing touches to a commemorative plaque created by brewery sign artist Dave Young which featured the shires and head horseman Martin Whittle.

He later posed in front of the plaque with John Langden, chief executive of Pub Is The Hub, who thanked the prince for all of his work for the cause which has resulted in many pubs taking on a wide range of extra activities such as becoming cinemas, cafes, libraries and much more.

He said: "He has helped pubs become a force for good in communities."

In reply the prince spoke of his enjoyment of the tour of Wadworth and thanked the brewery for its financial support for Pub Is The Hub.

He said: "I want to thank the brewery for its remarkable support. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to see the different valuable facilities that are being created."

He joked that in some parts of the country Pub In The Hub had found it more difficult to reach. "Unlike some of those other beers," he said with reference to advertising for a certain brand of lager.

On his way out he also had a laugh with a couple of workmen who admitted they should have been on a job around the corner.

"Are you just here for the beer?" he asked.

Inside he had been particularly engrossed in conversation with former military man Paul Martin who showed him how to keep a steady hand when sign writing.

By coincidence he was working on a sign for the Prince of Wales pub in Shrivenham. He said: "He asked me how we got the shadowing and how we kept everything in line. He seemed very interested."

He was also deep in conversation with second brewer Andy Weaver as he discussed the tradition of brewing.

Wadworth chairman Charles Bartholomew said: "It is a great honour to have the prince with us. We only found out about six weeks ago that he was coming."