Prince Charles has officially opened a new pub in Dorset.

He went behind the bar to pull a pint at the first pub to be opened in the village he helped to create near Dorchester.

The pub, in Poundbury, was named the Poet Laureate, after the prince's friend Ted Hughes.

Hughes' widow, Carol, was at the opening to greet the prince before he met local dignitaries, regulars and some of the bar staff.

The prince is greeted by Ted Hughes' widow, Carol

The pub has been designed to be in keeping with the prince's vision of creating the ideal village - complete with industry, offices, shops, houses and leisure facilites.

Mrs Hughes said it was an honour that the pub was named after her late husband, but could not comment on what he would think of it.

She said: "One can never answer for someone who is not there for themselves - but he certainly supported the prince's vision and ideas for Poundbury as much as he knew of them."

Prince Charles went on to unveil a plaque to commemorate the opening.

The pub's launch comes after the prince was recently named beer drinker of the year by a select committee of MPs.

The prince's Pub Is The Hub campaign highlights the importance of pubs in rural communities.