The Prince of Wales was able to pour a pint at a pub that four years ago, he played a huge part in keeping open.

Prince Charles, yesterday visited the White Horse pub in Upton, of which two groups he patrons made financial grants towards.

The pub received £50,000 from the Prince’s Countryside fund in 2012, helping the community buy out the troubled pub.

Then in 2014, The Pub is the Hub provided £4,000 worth of funding for a community shop to be added in a converted barn adjacent to the pub.

During his visit, he spoke to people who work at the pub and spoke to people who work at the volunteer led shop - which is the only one in the village.

After pouring himself a pint of Woodforde’s Wherry behind the bar, he was awarded a loyalty card by Peter Crook, development manager of the White Horse Development Trust, as a token of the community’s appreciation for his role in saving the pub.

Prince Charles, said: “I am delighted to be here and have this brief opportunity to meet you all.

“I am extremely impressed with the level of community spirit that was shown by people here to save their pub.

“Projects like the Pub is the Hub was created with the intention to keep these rural pubs, and not only them but shops, post offices, banks and more. And I am happy to see how well the shop is doing.

“I am extremely grateful to be given the loyalty card, meaning that I can pay less for my drinks here the next time I come.”

More than 100 people turned out in force to see the rare sight of a royal in Upton.

Flashbulbs and cheers met Prince Charles after he left his car.

Of the many people he stopped and spoke to was Maurice Parker, 93, who is the pub’s longest attendee, having come to the pub now for 70 years.

He joked: “I have never seen the pub so busy I just want a quiet a pint.”

He added: “I am happy to see him here, I have come here for so long and without the money he put towards it, I might never have got the chance to keep coming here today.”