THE Prince of Wales met Great Yarmouth College students as his tour of the town continued.

Prince Charles also chatted to excited staff at Palmers, workers at St George's Chapel and volunteers at SeaChange Arts Trust.

Earlier this morning he walked through the market, chatting to stall holders and meeting excited schoolchildren and residents.

He spent time with Peter Nicholls, manager of Hewitt and Bartram fruit and veg stall, who described him as 'just a nice fella.'

He added: 'He was very easy to talk to. We talked for a while about local fruit and veg and produce, which is something he's very interested in because he has a range of organic products.

'He just asked about how long I'd been on the stall, and whether we were able to source things locally.

'I told him that we got as much as we could locally, and he agreed that was a good thing.'

The Prince of Wales also stopped to talk to Kirsty Chapman, 22, of C&D's market stall.

'He wanted to find out a little bit about our business, what we sold and whether the business was hereditary,' she said. 'He seemed very interested, and we told him we had a bingo dabber for his mother if he wanted it.'

Jonathan Newman, town centre manager, said the prince's visit to Great Yarmouth was a credit to the town.

'It's fantastic that he will be spending so long here today, and that he has so many engagements,' he said.

'It's a real sign that there are things going on in the town and so many places of interest to the prince.'

The Prince then visited Palmers, which is celebrating its 175th anniversary.

He was met by the store managers from Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Bury St Edmunds and Dereham, managing director David Howard and longest serving employee, Barry Moyse.

Mr Moyse has been with the firm for 45 years and has worked as a delivery driver and in the warehouses.

His Royal Highness saw a Lancome make up demonstration and asked about the store's try before you buy make up.

He also met womens and menswear sales assistants

Diane Tweed, who works in the fashion department said: 'He seemed very interested and was really nice. He was very charming and had twinkly blue eyes.

'I was nervous before I met him but he is good at putting you at ease. Today is a very exciting day, he is a very nice person.'

He then met local historian Michael Boon and spoke about the history of the firm

In the caf� he saw a giant fruit cake which was made to celebrate the firm's milestone birthday.

Chef Kirsty Fielder, who made the cake, said: 'I finished making it on Friday. Prince Charles asked if it was a sponge cake but I told him it was a fruit cake. I made it in four separate parts and iced it in one go. He asked if it was made in store, which it was.'

He cut the cake and unveiled a plaque to commemorate the business' 175th birthday.

The Prince of Wales was given a tour of Great Yarmouth's historic St George's Chapel as his visit to the town continued this morning.

The prince was guided by architect Sir Michael Hopkins and discussed the �5m project's progress with trustees and workers.

He was shown the rare gold leaf that was uncovered under the paint work on the columns of the Baroque chapel.

After examining the plans for the chapel, he discussed apprenticeships with the sub-contractors, before leaving to greet crowds lining King Street and make his way to the SeaChange Arts Trust.

Saul Humphrey, regional director for contractors Carter, said the visit was 'a fantastic honour'.

'It's been terrific for the project, and a wonderful morale boost to the men on the site, that the prince recognises the work they are doing here.

'He takes a real interest in heritage projects and we are very honoured to have him visit today.'

Carl Bream, director of sub-contractor Norfolk Sheet Lead, spoke to the prince at length about the work.

He said: 'He wanted to know about our company, and what we do to bring through apprentices, as that's something that the Prince's Trust works hard on as well.

'He was also asking about lead thefts, the new legislation that's been brought in and whether that has helped.

'He seemed to me like a very nice, down-to-earth chap.'

Later today the prince will go to Stalham where he will visit Truly Local, a not for profit enterprise specialising in local produce.

Afterwards he will travel to Norwich where he will meet patients, staff and supporters at Priscilla Bacon Lodge.

Palmers will be holding a high tea event from 3pm-5pm in their Coffee Room. A selection of sandwiches, pastries, and cakes along with a choice of tea or coffee will be served. Dancers from the Phyllis Adams school of dance will be performing at 2.30pm, 4pm and 4.30pm. Tickets cost �12 for two.

A spokesman for Clarence House said no roads would be closed.