YOUNG farmers from the Angley School Farm at Cranbrook have returned from the Royal Smithfield Show with not just an armful of trophies but also the personal endorsement of Prince Charles.

The Prince stopped to talk to the students and farm manager Nick Cooper after the school picked up five winners' boards and five rosettes in competition with professional farmers from across the country.

The Prince told the youngsters that he had heard about their "recent difficulties" - a reference to the proposal from school governors in July 2001 to close the farm as an economy measure - and told them they had his full support.

The Angley team was the only school represented at the show. Mr Cooper said: "To do so well against competition from hardened showmen from across the country is a real achievement.

Prince Charles offered his support and gave the students a contact number to ring if he could help in future. One student, Jennifer Mayes, 15, said meeting the Prince had been quite a thrill.

She added: "He asked all about the animals and what would happen to them after the show. He said it was good to see young people interested in farming."