The Duke of Kent was given a tour of the best in innovation and technology when he paid a visit to Swindon.

The Royal was in town this week, when he was guest of honour at the University of Bath in Swindon's Oakfield campus before travelling to Wroughton Science Museum.

His first stop was at the Museum of Computing, the Swindon Innovation Centre, and business hub, all situated at the University of Bath's Marlowe Avenue site.

After meeting the museum's founder, Jeremy Holt, and curator Simon Webb, he had a chat with children who were enjoying the Pong to PlayStation hands-on games console.

He then signed the visitors' book, before saying to his hosts: "I found that most interesting and exciting, thank you for showing me around." Mr Webb said: "It was great he could come here today and see what we have to offer. I thought Swindon was the ideal location for a Museum of Computing because it is part of Britain's Silicon Valley."

Intel is the principal sponsor of the museum and a leading manufacturer of central processing chips for PC systems.

Managing director of Intel Corp UK Ltd, John Woodget, said: "It is important for Swindon to have someone of such standing coming here today to find out what good work goes on here.

"We are catering for the university to the world of computing. Innovation is central to Intel. Technology has come a long way at such huge pace that it is important to keep up with the rate of change."

Dr Faith Butt, director of the Oakfield campus, said: "The university is delighted to provide accommodation to the museum and we look forward to working with them and Intel as an ongoing partnership."

The Duke was also introduced to innovation centre manager Phil Merrick, who told him about business mentoring and the guidance it provides to new science and technology-based business start-ups and the centre's contribution to Swindon's economy.

He also spoke to entrepreneurs based at the centre, including brothers Stacey and Simon Cady, who talked about their respective companies - SICA Solutions, specialising in SMART interactive technology, including sports analysis software, and Nemesis Scientific, a leading UK company offering a package of workplace drug and alcohol tests, training and policy guidance.

The university's business hub introduced three of its female students who have successfully set up their own small businesses as a result of its Women into Enterprise training programme.

Mamta Bhattacharyya explained to the Duke how the course gave her the skills to be able to pursue her own company, Rasoi - Hindi for Indian kitchen - which offers Indian cookery lessons at home.

She said: "It was fantastic to be able to talk to the Duke about my company and Indian cuisine. It's a great way to show how multi-cultural and multi-dimensional the university is."

Other guests for the royal visit were the Mayor of Swindon Coun Mike Bawden, and his wife, and the High Sheriff of Wiltshire Geraldine Wimble.

The second part of the Duke's day was a visit to the Science Museum at Wroughton later in the afternoon.

He had lunch and was briefed about the 18,000 exhibits the museum holds and the Inspired project that will allow people to learn more about 200,000 iconic objects.

The head of development, Sally Pettipher, welcomed him and showed him inside the engineering building, before a tour of the D4 hangar, which includes some of the museum's transport collection.

She said: "Drawing on the skills and expertise that we have at the Science Museum in London, Inspired will offer spectacular tours, workshops, themed dramas and science shows on an unprecedented scale."