CROWDS flocked to Wainwright's Yard in Kendal today (Monday) to welcome HRH The Prince of Wales and the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

During a visit to Booths supermarket, Prince Charles and the Rt Hon Hilary Benn were given an opportunity to see for themselves the efforts being made by local businesses and producers to ensure the future of rural communities.

As well as getting an opportunity to talk to a number of local producers that sell their produce in the supermarket's Artisan shop and restaurant, the party also took the time to answer questions and taste some of the delicious samples on offer.

After a short discussion with the Chairman of Booths, Edwin Booth, and the owners of local businesses, His Royal Highness officially opened a new wood-fired bakery in Smokehouse Yard.

Owner of the Staff of Life Bakery, Simon Thomas, informed Prince Charles and Mr Benn about how the oven worked and promised to give them some freshly made bread to take home.

The guests were then taken on a short tour of the supermarket, where they were shown the range of eco-friendly cleaning and household products on sale, the tempting selection of cheeses and meats in the delicatessen and the locally sourced organic produce in the dairy aisle.

Prince Charles and Mr Benn rounded off their visit with a chat to Booth's employee, Christine Jenkins, who has worked at the store for 22 years, and Margaret Wilkinson from Kendal, who has been shopping at the supermarket for more than half a century.

The party then headed off to Chapel Stile in Langdale, where His Royal Highness will attend a meeting in the village hall to discuss the success of an affordable housing scheme, which has been implemented in the area.