The Prince of Wales was a million miles from Buckingham Palace as he visited a row of two-up two-down Coronation Street-style terraced houses.

Prince Charles dropped in on Walter and Mary Curtis at their home in Tully Street, Hulme, during a one-day trip to see some of Manchester's regeneration projects, accompanied by Spain's Prince Felipe, the Prince of Asturias.

Hulme borders Moss Side and Longsight where seven people have been killed in a spate of shootings over the last seven months.

Many houses in the area are boarded up and have been vandalised, but a major regeneration scheme has been launched by the Irwell Valley Housing Association.

Around 150 residents turned out to see the two princes arrive in the street in a fleet of cars with police escorts.

Mr and Mrs Curtis are being temporarily re-housed in the homes the princes were visiting, while their own home in the next street is refurbished.

They only discovered the VIP guest was to be Prince Charles a few days ago and since then have been frantically cleaning and moving furniture in their tiny house to make room for the royal guest.

'Best china'

Mrs Curtis, 61, said: "I was so shocked when I found out our visitor was to be Prince Charles.

"I couldn't speak all day and since then I have been so nervous. But he was lovely, very charming and polite.

"I offered both princes a cup of tea but they said no, although I had my best china laid out in the next room just in case."

Mr Curtis, 59, a process operator at United Biscuits in Stockport said Prince Charles had wanted to know why they had been chosen to meet him.

He said: "I told him I didn't have a clue but I was glad it was us anyhow."

The two princes, who had put on white hard hats, then moved on to look at the regeneration work in progress on the terraced houses, many of which are in the middle of being knocked down and made into semi-detached houses.

'He's got rhythm'

Later Charles tried his hand as a drummer with a group of Big Issue sellers as he visited the magazine's premises in Oldham Street, Manchester.

The sellers, who have been learning to play the drums with the Halle Orchestra, had put on a show of drum playing for the Prince's arrival.

Mike Martin, 32, said he saw the Prince watching him play and decided to ask him to join in.

"He's definitely got the rhythm, I was playing one side of the drum and he was playing the other, and he was good.

"He didn't think he was doing very well because he couldn't hear himself play but I told him he should take it up professionally."

The sellers of the magazine, which raises money for the homeless, has been training with the orchestra to involve them in more creative hobbies and improve their self esteem.

Both princes were introduced to volunteers and sellers of the magazine and found out how it helped the homeless get off the streets.

Charles was especially interested in herbal teas and acupuncture which sellers are given each morning before they start their days work on the streets.

As they left the building both Charles and Prince Felipe produced £1 to buy their copy of the Big Issue.

Thomas Allcock, 27, who sold Charles a copy of the magazine, said: "He told me to enjoy my day, it is good to see him in Manchester and I am glad he has taken an interest in us.

"He is the second member of royalty to buy a Big Issue from me as the Queen Mum bought one as well," Mr Allcock added.