The Prince of Wales came to Sussex today to open a new pensioner centre.

Driving rain greeted the Prince as he arrived to officially open Age Concern's new visitor centre in Eastbourne this morning.

Prince Charles arrived by helicopter before being ferried in a three-car convoy to open Age Concern's William and Patricia Venton Centre in Junction Road.

Dozens of well-wishers cheered as the Prince was met by Eastbourne's civic leaders including Mayor Michael Tunwell, MP Nigel Waterson and Richard Stevens, chairman of East Sussex County Council.

The Prince paid tribute to former dancer Patricia Venton who paid £700,000 for the centre to be opened in memory of her and her late husband William.

Charles said,: "I have great pleasure to have this chance of being with you all this morning and seeing something which Mrs Venton has managed to achieve with her remarkable generosity."

Charles also paid tribute to the army of volunteers who are to run the centre. "Nothing could be possible without these marvellous volunteers who put so much effort in to ensure that these operations are kept running."

The centre was established a year ago and offers entertainment and a range of services for the elderly including hairdressing, assisted bathing, alternative therapy, foreign language and line dancing.

The visit was the second Prince Charles has paid to East Sussex in less than six months.

He made a return to the county following his visit to Fletching, near Lewes, earlier this year.

The visit by the Prince coincides with Eastbourne Borough Council's 100th birthday celebrations for the Queen Mother.

The planting of a Red Oak is set to take place at Devonshire Park on November 29.

The planting ceremony comes weeks after the Queen Mother commended Eastbourne's floral badge of her official coat of arms which was designed and planted in tribute for her centenary celebration in June this year.

After a tour of the centre Prince Charles then flew to Ardingly, near Haywards Heath, to officially open a vast vault designed to protect endangered plant species.

The Millennium Seed Bank in Wakehurst Place holds millions of seeds buried deep in the countryside to preserve Britain's botanic heritage. Britain is the first country in the world to embark on such a scheme to safeguard its endangered plants.