Prince returns to tower

About 50 well-wishers waited in the rain to greet Prince Charles

The Prince of Wales has paid a visit to the cathedral in Bury St Edmunds to view the progress of building work.

Prince Charles, who has expressed a keen interest in preserving historic architecture, is Patron of the St Edmundsbury Cathedral Millennium Project and County Appeal.

He was shown around the cathedral on Monday by the Dean, the Right Reverend James Atwell, as well as Warwick Pethers, who designed the new tower's exterior, and Horry Parsons, the man overseeing the project.

He also journeyed on a lift to the top of the tower and spoke with craftsmen.

Senior stonemason Lloyd Whitehouse said: "It's obvious the prince is genuinely interested in the work that's going on, and in the fact that it's a traditional craft which young people can go into.

Prince Charles speaks with workmen at the top level of the tower

"We do actually have trouble recruiting into the stonemason trade - I can only presume youngsters simply aren't directed into this line of work by careers advisors these days.

"It is heavy, hard work."

Euan Allen, project co-ordinator for the cathedral, said: "Last time the prince was here, in July 2001, the tower had reached 50 feet above the ground; it's now at 80 feet and ultimately the tips of the pinnacles will be around the 150 feet mark."

The Prince of Wales is in the region for a meeting with teachers from East Anglia.

He is attending a four-day course of debate and discussion in Norwich, featuring top academics, including poet Seamus Heaney, playwright Tom Stoppard and historian David Starkey.