The Prince of Wales followed in the footsteps of Hollywood stars yesterday when he visited the Ryedale town of Pickering.

Hundreds of spectators turned out to greet the Prince who arrived at Pickering's Railway Station riding in the driver's compartment of the steam train the Sir Nigel Gresley, which is run by North York Moors Railway.

The town has been the location of two Hollywood films in the last month, a thriller called 'Possession' starring Gwyneth Paltrow and the new Harry Potter movie.

Forty-five minutes later than planned - the visit had been unexpectedly delayed - His Royal Highness arrived in the town proving he was as good a sport as any wearing a driver's dust suit.

As he smiled and waved at waiting crowds he looked more like an old fashioned train driver than the future King of England.

Bob Bullock, the driver of the Sir Nigel Gresley, the engine famed for breaking the rail speed record in 1959 by travelling at an astonishing 112 mph, said the Prince seemed to enjoy his short trip.

"He didn't drive the train but he was very interested in how it all worked," he said.

"He seemed like a natural and I'm sure he would have made a great train driver if he wasn't a Prince."

As the Royal entourage pulled into the Victorian station, which has been refurbished at a cost of £412,000, the Prince was give a rousing welcome by children from Pickering Infants School and local dignitaries including the High Sheriff of North Yorkshire Mr Gerald Turton and the chairman of North Yorkshire County Council Roy Wilson.