STUDENTS at an East Yorkshire school rubbed shoulders with royalty when Prince William dropped in to launch a children's award.

Goole High School hosted a visit from the Queen's grandson, who as royal patron of the national education charity SkillForce, used the occasion to launch the SkillForce Junior Prince’s Award, and let slip a few words about his taste in music.

As he chatted to the school's samba band, which was providing the musical accompaniment, he passed up an offer to play one of the drums, saying: "I used to play the piano, trumpet and drums when I was your age but I couldn't read music. There's only so much you can remember from the top of your head."

And when one of the band asked him what music he liked, he said: "I really like Coldplay, Linkin Park."

The new SkillForce Junior Prince's Award is aimed at nine and 10-year-olds, especially under-privileged children who do not have easy access to these kind of activities and is particularly aimed as smoothing the transition for children between primary and secondary school.

The award involves team-building and problem-solving challenges, team sports, outdoor pursuits including camping, first aid, navigation, observing remembrance and community projects.

Goole High School has worked with a group of local primary schools to develop the new national award programme.

Goole High School executive co-head teacher Danuta Tomasz said: "It was a fantastic day which will be an amazing memory for the students and staff. It's not every day you get to meet an heir to the throne.

"We are very proud of our close links with education charity SkillForce which have been built up over three years of working with them and we are delighted that HRH The Duke of Cambridge chose Goole High School as the venue to launch the SkillForce Junior Prince’s Award.

“The school has benefited enormously from the work of SkillForce which has helped increase the confidence and life skills among dozens of our students.”

Fellow executive co-head teacher Dave Flowitt added: "We are really honoured that HRH The Duke of Cambridge chose Goole High School for his first visit to the East Riding.

"Every one of our students got the chance to be within yards of His Royal Highness, who also had the chance to see some of the volunteering activities our students get involved in and he seemed genuinely impressed by them. I am sure his visit will be the talk of the school for a long time to come."

Thanks to the school’s close partnership with local primary schools, children and staff from Parkside and Kingsway schools were also at the event, as well as numerous dignitaries from the area. Parents, carers and other members of the community were also invited to join in the celebrations outside the school.