Prince Charles visited Sussex today to see Britain's first purpose-built detention centre for asylum-seekers.

The Prince of Wales toured Tinsley House and met people from all over the world who seeking asylum.

The Prince looked at art and craftwork done by the residents, who are either waiting to be returned home after failed bids for asylum or are awaiting the result of applications.

Charles took such an interest in the centre and its residents that his visit ran 45 minutes over schedule.

Speaking afterwards, he said: "I was fascinated to see how the centre here is run and to meet so many of the staff who I know work so hard.

"Having talked to one or two as I went round, I know they work very long hours. These 12-hour shifts are terrifying to me.

"I've been fascinated to see so many different faiths working together in harmony. It's a wonderful example of practical and spiritual co-operation."

During his private tour Charles was presented with a wooden carving from an Iranian man and a pendant of the Virgin Mary from a Russian Orthodox priest.

He spoke to residents in an English class and asked them about their experiences in the centre as well as their homes in countries such as Uganda and Sri Lanka.

During the 90-minute tour, the prince also spoke to staff who arranged sporting, educational and religious activities for the residents.

The centre is a blueprint for three other facilities planned for elsewhere in the country.

They are designed to speed up the process of returning immigrants home once their attempts to seek asylum have failed.

The other centres are planned for Bedfordshire, Kent, and Heathrow.

The centres will model Tinsley House in making provisions for all major religious and cultural festivities including Christmas, Easter, Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr, Diwali, and the Chinese New Year.