CHILDREN sang and waved flags as Prince Edward paid a visit to their village school.

The Prince, the Earl of Wessex, met pupils at Cumnor CofE Primary School yesterday morning.

He spent an hour talking to staff and pupils about the work the school does with an impoverished school in Uganda through the charity Helping Hands.

Years One and Two sang a welcome song and waved British and Ugandan flags as the Prince arrived at the school in Oxford Road.

Headteacher Heather Broom said: “He was absolutely charming and made everyone feel very comfortable.

“He was very impressed with the project.“It is the children’s passion that has made this project work and this royal visit acknowledges all they have done.”

Pupil Alice Bridge, 11, said: “He was really kind and looked as though he thought what we were doing was really good.”

The Cumnor pupils have been raising money for the El-shaddai Primary School, writing letters and sending gifts since 2007.

So far more than £2,000 has been raised.