A VOLUNTEER from Sherston, who helps some of Africa’s poorest communities, got a royal visit at work recently.

Tricia Lawrence, a volunteer ambassador and trustee of development charity Send a Cow, met Prince Charles at the charity’s headquarters in Bath office.

The royal is both president and landlord of Send a Cow and he met trustees and country directors during his visit on February 1.

He toured a new extension, unveiled a plaque and saw plans for an African Garden designed by TV gardener and Send a Cow supporter Toby Buckland.

Tricia has been an ambassador at the charity for 12 years and has visited projects in Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia.

She recently moved to north Wiltshire from Rutland and has been spreading the word of the charity's life-changing work by speaking to churches, schools and groups such as the Women’s Institute.

On meeting Prince Charles Tricia said: “It was an honour to meet Prince Charles and talk to him about the incredible work Send a Cow is doing with smallholder farmers in Africa.

“He asked lots of questions and seemed very knowledgeable about the charity.

“He congratulated us on our work and spoke about the importance of women in farming and the need to continually empower them as well as encouraging young people to work in agriculture.”

To learn more about Send a Cow visit sendacow.org or to book Tricia for a talk, contact her by emailing tricia.sendacow@sky.com or calling 07778 412604.