ANY person waiting for a train at Kemble station this morning would have had a shock when the next in line to the throne walked down the platform.

HRH The Prince of Wales visited the Cotswold station at 10.30am to officially open a new garden that has been given a new lease of life by members of the community.

The Hobby Garden, which has been in an unusable state for some time, has been completely redeveloped by students from the Royal Agricultural University with help from Cirencester garden centre Dobbie’s.

Speaking at the opening, Prince Charles said: “I do hope it inspires further ideas about what can be done with other smaller stations. It clearly makes such a difference to the travelling public and the local people."

The Prince told the crowd that, despite his busy week, he was always going to honour his commitment to this engagement at Kemble.

He said: “It’s a really encouraging project and I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.”

The station garden has been totally revamped, with a dry stone wall running through its centre and hundreds of wild plants dotted around the flowerbeds.

Professor Chris Gaskell, principal of the Royal Agricultural University, said: “It’s just a privilege and an honour that he’s chosen to come here.

“It’s great that he’s recognising the work First Great Western and ourselves have done. It gives us a real example of how we’re part of the community.”

Prince Charles smiled and joked as he spoke with students from the university and well-wishers who had waited patiently to greet him on the platform.

Izzy Dixon-Clegg, 21, a student at the university, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to do and it looks amazing now. I’m really happy that it’s all been possible.”

The Prince’s visit also attracted attention from senior figures at First Great Western.

Mark Hopwood, the company’s managing director, said: “It’s us working together with the local community and I know things like this are really important to His Royal Highness.

“We’re delighted that he asked if he could come along and help us celebrate.”

The new and improved Hobby Garden is located on platform one at Kemble Station.