WARRINGTON Collegiate enjoyed a regal official opening on Friday, with a very special guest.

The Queen's cousin Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, spent two hours touring the new £27 million campus, chatting with staff and students along the way.

First stop was the creative and performing arts department, where the Duke enjoyed a range of shows and displays, including a performance of YMCA by the supported learning group.

Student William Tran, aged 17, said: "We were nervous about meeting him and the dance was pretty hard to do but it went well, I enjoyed it."

Next up was the Colin Daniels Construction and Engineering Skills Centre where students can earn qualifications in plumbing, painting and decorating, joinery and electrics.

Janet Dale, deputy director for construction said the Duke seemed genuinely interested in their work.

"He was asking about everything at length and was really friendly and really interested in the learners," she said.

"We had all been looking forward to his visit. It's nice to show off a bit about what the students can actually do."

Mark Stott, director of the department, said: "He seemed like a genuine guy who was genuinely interested."

After a stop at The Warrington Business School it was on to the award-winning hair salon in The Academy, where he congratulated everyone on their achievements.

Lecturer Helen Chorley said: "I think the girls were a bit shell-shocked at first but they relaxed after a while. They all felt quite privileged."

The Duke encountered a rather grisly scene in the Harmony make-up salon where students had used theatrical make-up to recreate a scene from Casualty. With blood and guts galore, it was no wonder the Duke was taken aback.

Student Emma Hadland, aged 17, said: "He asked me how we manage to make the injuries look so real. He was nice to talk to and was interested."

After one final stop to watch the cabin crew students in action, the Duke unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening. Guests then enjoyed a meal in Buckley's restaurant, prepared and served by the students.

Lecturer Dan Turner said he hopes the experience will lead to bigger and better things for his learners.

"It's a fantastic experience and a great opportunity. This is really powerful CV stuff, to say that they have worked on a royal function."

Looking back on a successful day, principal Paul Hafren said he could not be prouder of the staff and students.

"It was much more relaxed than I'd anticipated and it brought out the best in us all.

"The students did a fantastic job and behaved very well. It's a good thing for them to have an opportunity like this to show what they can do."