THE Duke of Gloucester created a 'real buzz' in Ledbury when he visited last week.

His Royal Highness was in town on Friday, February 17, to see the multi-million pound renovation of the 16th century Master’s House which has been visited by more than 100,000 people since it opened last March.

He signed the first comment in the building's guest book and cut a cake to celebrate its opening.

The Master’s House, on St Katherine's car park, was originally the home for the Master of St Katherine’s Hospital and now hosts a library and interactive tours of the building.

Thanks to a grant of £2.4 million from Herefordshire Council and £1.7 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund restoration was carried out between 2011 and 2015.

“It’s my pleasure to come here and visit this very pretty town," said the Duke of Gloucester.

"It has been great to hear how you have returned a building into a bit of noble history.

“By stripping back the building you have found its medieval underwear which you have done perfectly.

“Clearly Ledbury has an inspiring history as a result of this building and the hospital.

"The town had a very significant institution where as other town’s had a leading family controlling it.

“Clearly this gave your town a special civil purpose greater than other towns. You must all be pleased that you can reveal this monument that was hidden in the 18th an 19th century.

“I hope that following generations will regard this project as the right thing at the right time.”

During his visit, the Duke toured the town's Bevisol plant, which produces and supplies ciders and fruit wines from its base in the Orchard Business Park.

Chris Newall, managing director of Bevisol, said: "We were naturally a little nervous at first but His Royal Highness immediately put everyone at ease.

"He was very interested in what we were doing and enjoyed meeting our staff. It was a wonderful day for Bevisol."

The Duke also visited Salters Hill, a charity which supports people with learning disabilities, where he planted a Rowan tree and signed the visitors' book.

He also met representatives of local voluntary organisations and the town's uniformed and youth sports groups.

And he even squeezed in a visit to stallholders of the Ledbury Country Market and brought a handmade piggy bank from one stall owner.

Mayor Debbie Baker said: "I was delighted with the fact that he spoke to so many people and so many different groups around the town.

"We tried to involve all the community groups and volunteer group in Ledbury who give an awful lot behind the scenes to make Ledbury.

"The town was a real buzz and it was a huge privilege to have a member of the royal family come to town.

"He spent such a long time talking to people and took such an interest in our town."