Charles takes bus ride

Prince Charles was greeted by about 200 well-wishers

The Prince of Wales took the bus on a visit to Lancashire on Thursday.

Prince Charles arrived in the county on the Royal train at Clitheroe.

He then launched a new rural bus service by taking a 20-minute journey to the village of Chipping, through the picturesque Ribble Valley.

The Bowland Transit project, which begins in April, aims to improve transport services for residents in small rural communities.

Bus driver David Wilson drove the prince to Chipping

He was greeted by about 200 villagers and schoolchildren from two local primary schools.

Len Cherry, 67, of Chipping, said the Prince told him he would like the new service, developed by Lancashire County Council, to be used.

He added: "If they are not used then they will disappear.

"The prince was concerned about local trades in rural communities."

The prince also spoke to local farmers about how they had coped with the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.

Prince Charles was also due to go to the Pukar Disability Centre in Preston - set up to help disabled people from the city's ethnic minority community.

His official duties in the county end as guest of honour at a private reception at the city's Fulwood Barracks, hosted by the Duke of Westminster.