PRINCE Charles has praised Dorset farmers and his dream development at Poundbury in Dorchester in a new review of his estate.

He hails their contributions to the Duchy of Cornwall for boosting its diversity and helping to save the country way of life.

The prince's tributes come in the newly-released Duchy of Cornwall review.

They follow his visit to Poundbury in late November for archaeological awards and to see the new Poet Laureate pub.

He says: "I will never cease to enjoy the many different and familiar landscapes of the Duchy of Cornwall and meeting the people who live and work there."

The review lays bare the work carried out on the prince's 140,000-acre Duchy of Cornwall estate.

He adds that farmers in the west country are "the essence of the countryside today".