THE Prince of Wales, on an offical visit to Kent, led a standing ovation for Jools Holland's concert in support of the Rochester Cathedral Music Forever Campaign on Tuesday afternoon.

More than 500 people packed the cathedral for the concert They included the Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev Michael Nazir Ali, and the Mayor of Medway, Cllr Angela Prodger.

They heard a mass written by Jools, who lives at Cooling, near Rochester, especially for cathedral performances. The Music Forever Campaign is part of the cathedral's £10 million fund-raising project.

After the concert the Prince met performers, who included gospel singers Ruby Turner, Louise Marshall and Beverley Knight as well as the Rochester Cathedral Choir and the Jools Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.

Asked how he enjoyed the concert, the Prince said: "It makes you feel much happier.But I don't know how people are going to move from that to evensong."

The Dean of Rochester, the Very Rev Adrian Newman, said after the concert: "What more could you wish for? The heir to the throne together with the undoubted King of rhythm and blues."

Earlier in the day Prince Charles attended two other events in the county. It was a bitterly cold day but the Royal visitor received a warm reception wherever he went.

In the morning he was at Bank Farm in the village of Aldington, near Ashford. There he met entrepreneur Douglas Wanstall, a supplier of eggs and vegetables to Clarence House, who was delighted that the Prince had expressed a wish to visit his expanding farm enterprise.

The pair have a similar passion for home grown produce.

The Prince was wearing a long camel coat for protection from the freezing strong winds cutting across the complex on a hill overlooking Romney Marshes.

First stop for the Prince was the poultry unit where the system was explained by Rob Clayson and John Green before he moved into the packing sheds, that deal with up to 18,000 eggs a day.

He was briefed by manager Al Henderson and Jo Wells who manages quality control.

In the vegetable and fruit warehouse that deals with the freshest produce from growers across the county he met manager Harry Fannin and spoke with Dale Penfold who uses Bank Farm produce for his ready meals.

He also briefly met Romney Marsh farmer Andrew Martin who explained his development of bio diesel.

At his second function of the day, the Prince attended Turkey Mill, Maidstone, where he presented Kent Messenger Group president Edwin Boorman, a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent and a former High Sheriff, with The Spirit of Kent Award for "conspicuous service to the county and its people".

PC David Cunnington was awarded with a Queen's Commendation for Bravery, the highest bravery award given to police officers - after he tackled an armed burglar in Tunbridge Wells.

Following the presentation of his award, Mr Boorman said: "I gratefully accept this, the highest honour the Lieutenancy can bestow, on behalf not only of myself but of the six generations of my family who have done their best to make a positive and loving contribution to the Kent community over a very long period.

"To me, the award also represents recognition for the selfless volunteers and community workers of the organisations I have been associated with over the past 50 years, and the dedicated staff of the Kent Messenger Group."