HUNDREDS of people braved bitter weather and hailstorms to welcome the Prince of Wales to Clitheroe.

Despite the weather, flag-waving fans gave a warm welcome to the future king as they lined the streets of the town centre for the visit which celebrated the best of Ribble Valley and Lancashire food.

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Prince Charles arrived by train and made his way up King Street warming up with a glass of whisky at fine wine merchants D Byrne and Co before trying a specially-made royal sausage at Cowman’s Famous Sausage Shop in Castle Street.

Along the way he chatted to market traders and shook hands with the crowds before heading to BAE Systems at Samlesbury to meet staff, students and apprentices.

He tried out the company’s virtual reality cave and saw demonstrations from apprentices working on manufacturing machines.

Youngsters from Balderstone St Leonard’s CE Primary School also got to meet the Prince as part of the tour.

It was the Prince’s first trip to Clitheroe since 2003 and marked 16 years since the Ribble Valley was devastated by the foot-and-mouth epidemic – something he chatted about to some of the traders.

The visit, which was promoting the town’s annual food festival, celebrated how the farming community has thrived by diversifying their businesses, making Clitheroe the official food capital of Lancashire.

The Prince was given a tour of the cellars at family-run D Byrne and Co which has been in the town since 1879.

Andrew Byrne, owner, said they gave him a red and white bottle of Burgundy as well as a drop of whisky to warm him up.

He said: “We were very honoured to have him here. He likes championing small businesses so it was the ideal place for him to visit.

“He wanted to know all about the history of the shop and about the wines, how we select them and where we get them from.

“He is a lovely gentleman. He was telling us about his visit to Australia and the wines there.

“We did some research online about his favourite wine which is a Chateau Latour but that is around £1,000 a bottle.

“We feel privileged. We have never experienced anything like that – a future king spending 20 minutes talking to us about wine.”

Nick Gell, co-owner of Cowman’s sausage shop, said: “It was fantastic to serve the Prince.

“He took home three different types, the Prince of Wales we created especially for him, the Highlander Pork, and the Duke of Lancaster.

“He also tried a couple of samples we had out and he enjoyed them.

“I was a little nervous because you don’t know how he’s going to react but he took the lead and was very chatty. We’ve delivered meat for the Royals before but I’ve never met one before.”

Clitheroe Royal Grammar students Elliot Matura, 17, Daniel Riding, 17 and Rachel Verity, 17, all got to shake his hand.

Elliot said: “It was quite an honour. He asked if we were sixth formers and wished us good luck in our A levels. I’m never going to wash my hand.”

Daniel added: “He had a firm grip. He is very brave to come out in this cold weather.”

Rachel said: “It was lovely to meet him. It was an honour. He is a really nice man.”

Ian Sowerbutts, manager at home furnishers HM Sowerbutts and Co Ltd in King Street, said: “I am thrilled he came to Clitheroe.

“It is nice to have our market town recognised by royalty.

“He is championing local businesses and it helps promote all the independent shops in Clitheroe which is what makes it a great town.”

Colin Darlington, of County Crepes, who had a stall in Castle Street, also got to shake his hand.

“He was very interested in my pancakes. He said his favourite is a crepe Suzette.

“He asked about the food festival and wished us all the very best.”

The Prince spent 10 minutes talking to Ryan McCarthy, 26, and Laura Barton, 24, who own healthy-dessert company Sweet Deceits.

Ryan said: “He showed a real interest. It was a bit surreal. He was really friendly and he was asking a lot about Clitheroe.”

Joyce Greenwood, from West Bradford, said: “I come every time there is a Royal visit. I shook his hand three times today.

“I think the Royals do a marvellous job and it is lovely that he has come to Lancashire.”

Shelia Millard, 61, from Clitheroe, said: “I don’t think anyone was bothered about the weather on an occasion like this, you forget about all that. He took his time saying hello to everyone which was nice to see.”

Colin Wrighton, 63, from Clitheroe, said: “It was really nice for the residents to see Prince Charles.

“The little ones from the schools seemed to have a great time.”