Prince Charles looked back on an ill-fated surfing attempt of his own as he helped environmental group Surfers Against Sewage mark its 30th anniversary.

The Duke of Cornwall was announced as patron of the charity during a visit yesterday to Nansledan, a 540-acre extension to Newquay that was championed by the royal, whose Duchy of Cornwall owns most of the land.

Surfers Against Sewage was founded in 1990 to protect oceans, waves, beaches and wildlife, and in recent years has been spearheading a campaign against single-use plastic.

Prince Charles signed a specially commissioned wooden surfboard made by Cornish craftsman James Otter, before praising the work of the organisation.

Falmouth Packet:

The wooden surfboard signed by Prince Charles. Photo: Joe Buncle

He said: “I do admire enormously all that you’re trying to do in different parts of the country and indeed probably around the world now.

“I do hope you have great success, particularly with all your beach clean ups, which I think is such a brilliant idea. How you mobilise quite so many people is astonishing.

“I can only congratulate all of you on the efforts you make.”

He also looked back on his own surfing efforts, saying: “Having tried to do a bit of surfing myself 40 something years ago, rather unsuccessfully, I only wish I was still about to do it and try out this board - but I’m not.

“I shall watch with great interest and try to support you from the side-lines everything you’re trying to do. It is of great importance, well done.”

The reception was held at Nansledan School – or Skol Nansledan in Cornish - which was built to accommodate the children of the new housing development, and welcomed its first pupils back in September.

Prince Charles was given a tour of the facilities before speaking with some of the youngsters who were taking part in an art lesson, admiring their work.

He was then invited to unveil a granite plaque to formally open the school.

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Celtic & Co founder Nick Whitworth gives Prince Charles a tour. Photo: Joe Buncle

The prince’s visit to Cornwall was finished off with a tour of the Newquay factory shop and warehouse for sheepskin company Celtic & Co, also marking its 30th year of trading.

Here he met with staff and saw the work that takes place to create clothes and shoes out of natural fibres and sheepskin.

Staff members demonstrated the process that the raw sheepskin goes through to become a pair of slippers ready for sale.

The company, set up by Nick and Kath Whitworth, now sells goods around the world and employs more than 40 staff.