PRINCE Charles was greeted with cheers from school children and members of the public desperate to shake his hand when he visited Barrow last week.

The Prince of Wales came to the new headquarters of Community Action Furness (CAF) on Rawlinson Street last Friday and met with representatives from a number of projects run by the organisation since its launch ten years ago.

The projects ranged from catering to gardening, from recycling to safety work for the elderly, which are all aimed at helping young people find work.

When Prince Charles met members of Cycloan, in Victoria Hall, he inquired i about the project, launched in Barrow in 1996 and in Ulverston last year.

The project repairs and services bicycles, sells new ones as well as running a cycle courier service and workshops for youngsters.

Cyloan manager Steve Foden said the Prince had been "genuinely" interested in the project. He even sat on the cycle used for the courier service.

"He was keen to have a go on it but we couldn't let him for insurance purposes. We didn't want him going through the floor," said Mr Foden.

CAF has just started to renovate the redundant building to turn it into an Enterprise and Learning Centre at a cost of £1.75 million. European funding, money from trusts and the National Heritage Lottery will cover the cost of the renovation, due to be completed in autumn 2005.

ABOVE: The Prince meets Barrow residents. (D3D074PB03)

April 17, 2003 17:30