SCHOOLCHILDREN waving Union Jack flags greeted the Earl of Wessex as he visited Dorchester to officially open a council building.

Prince Edward enjoyed a tour of West Dorset District Council’s offices at South Walks House and the Dorchester Library and Learning Centre, which both opened their doors last year, before unveiling a plaque.

See all the pictures from Prince Edward's visit here

He spent time talking to the children who welcomed him on his arrival and also spoke to many of the staff from the district council, library service and adult learning team who were present at the prince’s visit.

Youngsters from Manor Park First School were among those to meet the royal visitor.

Duncan Chennell, five, said: “It was awesome.”

He added that he had used the opportunity to ask Prince Edward if his school could get a swimming pool.

Fellow Manor Park pupils Oliver Trevorrow, five, and Tom Hadgett, seven, also welcomed the prince.

Oliver said: “It was great fun.”

West Dorset District Council leader Robert Gould and director of environment Dr David Evans led His Royal Highness on a private tour of the council offices before he visited the library and learning centre, where children from Sunninghill Preparatory School were taking part in a reading exercise.

He also met volunteers from services such as the Partnership for Older People Programme (POPP) and the home library service.

Before the unveiling of a plaque in the reception of the council offices, West Dorset District Council chairman Gillian Summers gave a speech thanking the prince for coming to open the building.

She said explained that the building had been vital in allowing staff from the council and colleague at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council to work together and talks were now ongoing with regards to extending the partnership with North Dorset District Council.

Addressing the staff and councillors who gathered for the unveiling, Prince Edward said:“Thank you for inviting me to come down to see your new building here today and thank you everybody who has shared with me what you do.

“It’s great to see this particular development and what it is doing and the way it’s bringing many people together.”

The Earl of Wessex also had praise for the way Dorset County Council’s library service and adult learning were working together in their shared building.

He said: “Hopefully it’s a facility lots of people will use and make the most of.”

Head of community services at the county council Paul Leivers said he was ‘delighted’ with how the visit had gone.

He said: “I’m very pleased he was able to talk with members of staff and volunteers who are providing services for Dorchester and the surrounding area.”

After unveiling the plaque the prince signed the visitors’ book before departing.