His Royal Highness, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, visited the £24million On-X Linwood Sport and Community Centre on Thursday (July 31).

Prince Edward, who is the Queen’s youngest child, nattered away to people who use the sport and leisure facilities and the associated Milldale Learning Disability Centre.

Renfrewshire’s Provost, Anne Hall, said: “We are delighted and honoured to welcome His Royal Highness, Prince Edward, to the On-X Linwood Sport and Community Centre.

“The Commonwealth Games has generated a huge amount of interest in a range of sports and activities. It is gratifying to be able to show His Royal Highness the facilities we have available to support our athletes and nurture future competitors.” The On-X centre has three swimming pools, including a 25 metre competition pool, a 600 square metre modern fitness suite, a multi-use eight court sports hall, four well equipped studios, two squash courts, and a sand-dressed all weather floodlit pitch.

The Milldale Learning Disability Centre offers a wide variety of social, developmental and educational activities which are provided through small supervised groups.

The centre helps adults with learning disabilities develop social, travel and basic domestic skills so that they can live more independently in the community, with appropriate support.

“We appreciate the interest the Prince has shown in its work,” Provost Hall continued. “The Prince’s Wessex Youth Trust supports many of the same kind of activities by providing grants to charities for children and young people.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------