THERE were beaming smiles everywhere, cheers and laughter, as Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, received the warmest of welcomes to Looe on Monday. The royal couple, relaxed and friendly, shook dozens of hands and spoke to many people as they went on a leisurely walkabout, and were soon running behind schedule. The fishing port had been included in the annual visit to the county by the Duke and Duchess, as they wanted to meet people who had been affected by the flooding and the damage caused by the winter storms. They also asked to meet the men and women of the local emergency services. It was just the lift the town needed, as the historic visit from the heir to the throne – the most senior royal ever to visit Looe – gave residents something to cheer about. Thousands lined the quaysides on both sides of the river, and squeezed into the narrow streets along the royals' route, planned to enable them to meet as many people as possible. The royal helicopter had previously touched down on the playing fields at Looe Community Academy on the Barbican, where the Duke and Duchess waved to the assembled students, and also to the pupils of Trenode Primary School from nearby Widegates. The Duke and Duchess were driven through the town to the quay by the lifeboat house, where they were greeted by songs from Polperro Fishermen's Choir, and excited children from Looe and Pelynt Primary Schools. Accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Col Edward Bolitho, the official welcome to Looe was given by the mayor and mayoress David and Annette Bryan, and the deputy mayor and mayoress, Armand and Rayna Toms. They first visited the crew and volunteers of Looe RNLI and chatted to lifeboat operations manager David Haines. The royal couple also spent some time talking to John and Maxine Naismith, and their daughter Tori, the parents and sister of popular local teenager Ollie Naismith who died in a car accident in 2008. They asked about the port's D Class lifeboat The Ollie Naismith, bought after the local community raised £84,000. Looe Coastguard were also presented as were the harbourmaster Jeff Penhaligon and harbour commissioners. The Duke and Duchess officially opened the new pontoon in the river and unveiled a plaque. The royal couple moved on to chat to members of Looe Rowing Club before paying a visit to 89-year-old boatbuilder Clifford Adams. Welcoming the couple into his workshop where there was a sailing craft under construction, Clifford – who has built many of the port's fleet of Redwings – said he retired 25 years ago, but his occupation had now become his relaxation. The royal couple also visited The Old Sail Loft restaurant, one of the properties affected by the flooding. Posies were presented by Mia (5) and Archie (3) children of the owners Michelle and Dominic Sadler. 'He looked at the pictures we had on display and asked how badly the Valentine's night flood had affected us and how we had coped,' said Dominic. One of the highlights of the visit was the Duke's meeting on the fish market with three young men – Sam Chapman, 20, Fred Alsop, 18, and Sean Coomber 19 – who had all gained jobs in the fishing industry after taking part in the Get Into Fishing Programmes, funded by the Prince's Trust. Fred and Sam got jobs on the port's fish market while Sean is now working on a trawler out of Plymouth. The Duchess visited Pengelly's Fishmongers on the quay which is now into the fifth generation of operation by the same Looe family – Angie Harrison, Jackie Provost, Nicola Jackson, and Anna and Sheena Pengelly. 'We presented her with a tagged wild bass, and local samphire and white crab meat,' said Angie. The Duchess also visited The Quayside Fresh fruit and vegetable shop recently opened by the Tanner brothers. The Duke and Duchess were also presented to the members of The Fishermen's Mission by MP Sheryll Murray, and chatted to Bill Hocking who, at 85, is Britain's oldest working fisherman. The Duke had recently made a donation towards the charity's work. The royals received another rapturous welcome in West Looe where there were thousands more well-wishers. They spoke to the stallholders in the Quay Centre's market, and to members of Looe Fire Brigade and Army Cadets. They also met up with the children of West Looe Play Group and Looe Sea Scouts. The Duchess popped into Ellie's Haven charity shop where she met Nigel and Julie Libby and volunteers. Before leaving Looe, the Duke and Duchess were presented with gifts on behalf of the people of Looe by Eloise Simm- Smith and Ed Merrin, the grand daughters of Looe Mace Bearers Sara Merrin and Liz Rose. The Town Council had commissioned a Kukri Ghurka tie-pin for the Duke and a Kukri brooch for the Duchess containing her coat of arms, which were designed and made at Looe Silvercraft by Stephanie and Patrick Paddymac and Craig Franks. Said the mayor: 'This has been a wonderful day for Looe which has gone exceptionally well and shown the town off at its best.' While the Duke made a private visit to a farm in Duloe the Duchess went on to make two solo visits. The first was to Cornish Orchards at West North Farm, Duloe, where she was tempted to taste a tipple of Cornish Gold, the company's flagship beverage, by the cider makers Chris Newton and Adam Keen. Before leaving she unveiled a plaque to officially open the new cider barn. At Trewithen Dairy, Greymare Farm, near Lostwithiel, the Duchess cut a large celebration cake to mark the 25th anniversary of the company which was started by Bill and Rachel Clarke. Their sons George and Francis have now joined the business which employs more than 100 people.