THE PRINCE of Wales popped into one of his local village stores today and left with a hamper of goodies.

Villagers at Sherston, just a few miles away from his Highgrove home, turned out on a chilly morning to welcome the prince as he visited a former primary school that had been converted into a thriving commercial centre with the help of a grant from his Prince’s Countryside Fund.

After being greeted by cheering youngsters who had walked over from the new primary school site, he called in at the Shear Class Salon and chatted easily to staff and customers, even attempting to persuade regular Hilary Daly, who was having a cut and blow dry, to try a different style.

Martina Wood, manageress of the beauty salon said the whole village was excited about the visit.

She explained to the prince that the salon had been in the village for the past 10 years in smaller premises before moving to the Old School. “It’s nice being here right in the middle, next to the post Office in the centre of things and having much more space.”

The listed building, converted in a £1 million project last year and run by a community interest company, is now fully let with tenants including a wine shop, marketing firm and the Post Office Stores.

He was given a tour of the converted classrooms before emerging once more to cheers. Stopping to chat to the excited children, he told them none of them would remember the building when it was the school. The prince then called in at the wine shop before making his way to the Post Office Stores, which was the first tenant.

In the gifts department he found Saira Harris and shelves packed with local crafts and bunting made by her mother. She made him laugh when she explained she’d covered up some of the cards because they were a bit saucy.

“He said: ‘Don’t worry, I’ve received a couple of those in my time,” she told the Standard later.

After working his way round the aisles set up in the former school hall and talking to staff, he met local artist and old friend Neil Forster before being presented with a hamper packed with local goodies including cider, cakes and a CD of the village history.

He took the basket from longest serving staff members Anthea Young and Janet Platt, after spotting them waiting patiently.

“He looked at the fruit cake and said: ‘That looks good and do I see a flapjack in there?’” a delighted Janet said. The prince also found time to chat to Sherston Primary School pupil James Hulme who had been deputised to ring the recently replaced bell on the top of the building.

Then it was time to go. But just as his entourage was preparing for him to leave he darted across the street to say hello to some familiar faces in the crowd and make a fuss of their dogs.

Resident Mary Hibbard, who used to see him regularly in his hunting days was greeted with a kiss on the cheek.

And then the prince was in the car and on his way to Cirencester with Sherston villagers cheering in his wake.