HRH The Duke of Kent rolled up in his gleaming gold Jag this week to cast his royal gaze over the work of South Lakeland charities and schools, reports Jennie Dennett.

First call for the Queen’s cousin was a visit to CancerCare in Kendal, the winner of the highly prized Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award for Voluntary Service by groups in the Community.

The grey-suited Duke was ushered in to the Blackhall Road centre by the Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria James Cropper to witness for himself the charity’s work providing help and support to cancer patients and their carers.

Next stop for the 68-year-old Royal was St Mark’s CE School at Natland where he unveiled a plaque and enjoyed lunch with some of the parents.

The Duke then ended his Lakeland tour at Bendrigg Lodge in Old Hutton where he watched students with cerebral palsy abseiling down a wall.

Bendrigg Trust Principal Trevor Clarke said the Duke took a “genuine interest” in the youngsters and the work of the Trust which specialises in activities for disabled and disadvantaged young people and is celebrating its silver jubilee this year.