Thousands head for West Norfolk's royal estate to enjoy the sunshine and popular show.

Record crowds headed to the Royal estate at Sandringham today as Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall visited the annual flower show.

Soaring temperatures saw thousands of people head to the West Norfolk village where the royal couple were greeted as they arrived by horse-drawn carriage.

West Newton school pupil Dominic Ashby, 5, presented the Duchess, who was wearing a green pansey-printed summer dress, with a posy before the couple toured the show in the blazing heat.

Show chairman David Reeve said the car parks were full and an overflow car park was filling-up.

'It looks to be heading for a record year,' he said.

The royal visitors spent some time in the show marquees with displays of flowers, fruit, vegetables and produce.

Richard Beales, of Attleborough-based Peter Beales Roses, presented Camilla with a stem of the Queen's Jubilee Rose which was launched earlier this year at the Chelsea Flower Show.

The couple also admired displays from various organisations including King's Lynn Horticultural Society and a representation of the beach at Great Yarmouth.

They spent some time at the EDP's photographic display of royal pictures from the last 60 years and Prince Charles was presented with a copper plate image of himself as a child by community editor Chris Bishop.

The waiting crowd was delighted when the couple conducted a walkabout in between visiting the tents for the National Osteoporosis Society, the Women's Institute, the Gurkha Welfare Trust, Royal Warrant Association Holders and the Royal National Institute for the Blind.

Among the well-wishers was ardent royal-watcher Mary Relph, of Shouldham Thorpe, near who arrived early to make sure she had a good spot.

'It's a lovely event and I have been looking forward to coming,' she said.

The royal couple are not staying in Norfolk, as is usually the case, because of other commitments in London, so they were not accompanied by house guests this year.

The show raises money for local charity and since 1977 more than �500,000 has been distributed to a wide range of causes.