THE Prince of Wales began a royal visit to Cumbria with a tour of the Barrow shipyard.

His Royal Highness called in to BAE Systems Submarines to learn about the company's delivery of the Astute and Dreadnought class submarine programmes and their commitment to local employment and training opportunities.

As well as touring the site and seeing the submarines in production, he met with members of staff and those taking part in the apprenticeship programme run by BAE Systems Submarines.

BAE Systems Submarines managing director, Tony Johns, said: “It was a great honour to welcome His Royal Highness to our site.

“The Prince of Wales met a number of our employees and showed a great deal of interest in their work and the unique skills we have here in Barrow.

“Having such a prestigious guest demonstrates to our workforce how vital a role they play in building the Royal Navy's submarines and ultimately protecting our nation.”

The prince, who is Admiral of the Fleet, toured the assembly shop and Devonshire Dock Hall, where the Astute and Dreadnought class submarines are being built.

He was also able to see a completed submarine inside the Barrow base, and was impressed with what he saw.

Mr Johns said: “He knows what we do but he wanted to see for himself. He thought the work we were doing is fantastic.

“He clearly enjoyed being here, he said it had been a great experience.”

As part of his 90-minute visit, The Prince of Wales spoke at length with a number of workers, including some of the company's 1,000 apprentices.

Mr Johns said: “He was particularly engaging and really enjoyed seeing what we do.

“He was asking people what they do and what their particular role and contributions are, and asking them to explain more about the submarines.

“He met with a real cross-section of people, from apprentices to a member of staff who has been here for 60 years and still continues to train apprentices.

“Everyone found him very easy to talk to and spend time with.”

Prince Charles is the latest in a long line of Royal family visitors to BAE Systems Submarines. In 2013, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also toured the site.

After leaving the shipyard, Prince Charles continued his Cumbrian visit in Ennerdale Bridge, as well as visits to Rosehill, Whitehaven Foyer and Flimby, where he visited New Balance's factory .

Copeland Council mayor Mike Starkie said: “I was incredibly proud to welcome His Royal Highness to Copeland today to show off the outstanding part of the world in which we live and work.

“Rosehill will soon be a cultural and artistic hub, offering an amazing platform for local talent as well as being able to draw in the best touring acts for our enjoyment.

“The Whitehaven Foyer is a fantastic example of a host of different organisations working together to turn a dilapidated building into a community venture to assist the most vulnerable in society.

“And you could not find a better example of a community enterprise than the Ennerdale Hub, a rural community under threat of losing a facility that has rallied round to turn it into a thriving part of village life.”