A pioneering project which links rural businesses and a college, was praised by the Prince of Wales.

Prince Charles was in Skipton yesterday to officially open the new Ling Fields Centre, an initiative created by Craven College and Craven Cattle Mart.

The college has set up a number of teaching units at the cattle market in Gargrave Road, all linked to agriculture and the countryside.

It has backing from regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs, Craven Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

The Prince, who arrived sporting an injury to the bridge of his nose, courtesy of a collision with a hedge at home, was taken on a tour of the units, including an equestrian centre.

He also spent 30 minutes lunching with farmers in the canteen - on egg-mayonnaise sandwiches - before unveiling a plaque.

He told farmers he was impressed with the progress made since his last visit three years ago, just after the foot-and-mouth crisis, and congratulated Craven College and the cattle market on their "foresight and courage" to create the skill centre.

He said: "As President of the Young Farmers Clubs we are trying to find ways for young people who want to stay in the countryside. Education needs to find ways to adapt to the new agricultural environment.

"New skills need to be learned and old one preserved - from learning about computers to dry stone walling."

Cattle market chairman Anthony Dean said the centre had created a one-stop-shop serving the farming community. "In effect, the culmination of this pioneering development and diversification scheme represents the rebirth of the auction mart," he said.

During his tour around the unit, the Prince spoke to students learning animal management skills including Kimberley Smith, 16, of Greenside Lane, Cullingworth, and Alice Brewster, 16, of Skipton Road Barnoldswick, who were involved in grooming Jessy, a bull mastiff.

He also came face to face with a bearded dragon - an Australian lizard, stick insects and a tarantula.

The Prince met Margaret Throup, 71, of Embsay, near Skipton, who makes cow udder cream for Laycocks Agricultural Chemists who have a unit on the site.

The Prince asked Mrs Throup about the secret recipe but she told him: "I'm afraid we never give our secrets away."

But she handed him a tub of the elixir advising him it was good for his feet and any other parts that were "cracking".

The Prince also spent time at the Soil Association's Yorkshire Organic Centre which is based in the mart.

Later in the day he visited villagers in Kettlewell near Skipton to see the community's affordable housing project.

Five homes have been opened for local people and the Prince meet tenants including the local gamekeeper.