PRINCE Charles spent his afternoon in Abergavenny today.

His Royal Highness was welcomed by hundreds of people lining the streets waving their Welsh flags as he visited the 900-year-old Tithe Barn, believed to be the oldest of its kind in Wales.

He was welcomed to St Mary's Priory Church for a short service of thanksgiving and then, as patron of the Tithe Barn, was shown some of the work the trust has undertaken.

Parishioners bought it back in 1999 and £1.6m has been spent transforming it into a centre for exhibitions, education projects and hospitality.

He met with a variety of people who have been involved in the restoration process, as well representatives of those 60 stitchers responsible for the attractive Millennium Tapestry, now on view in the Tithe Barn.

More than £500,000 has been spent on state-of-the-art technology in the exhibition and learning space and the Prince saw pupils from local primary schools learning what everyday life was like for the monks and explored various aspects of the Priory's distinguished history using interactive software and hands-on exhibition material.

*Find out what the Prince thought of Abergavenny in a full report of the Royal visit in next week's Abergavenny Chronicle.