A swimming pool designed specifically for children with disabilities and special education needs was given the royal seal of approval this week.

The Duke of Gloucester, Prince Richard – the first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II – was invited to formally open the new facility, which caters for the many students at Alfriston School, in Beaconsfield, on Wednesday.

He was joined at the Penn Road school by a number of well known community figures and dignitaries.

Recently, the school were awarded an architectural excellence awards for the swimming pool building, which was opened last year.

The royal, who is currently 24th in line to the British throne, stayed in Beaconsfield for most of Wednesday afternoon and also handed out long-service awards to carers at a garden party.

The event was hosted by Buckinghamshire-based home care agency Universal Care, to present long service awards to seven carers who have worked for the company for up to 20 years.

Chairman of Universal Care Peter Cullimore, said: "We are honoured and very grateful that HRH The Duke of Gloucester is able to spend time with us to celebrate the great contribution our carers have made over many years.

"Our carers are very special people who provide care to older people in the comfort of their own homes, allowing them to remain amongst familiar surroundings rather than living in a nursing home or spending long periods of time in hospital."

The garden party was also attended by Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher.