Prince Charles also met locals at a pub in Pooley Bridge

Prince Charles was speaking in the Lake District where he launched a guide to good practice in designing social housing in villages.

In Pooley Bridge he viewed a successful affordable housing scheme, then spoke at a meeting in the village hall.

He also visited the local post office and one of the village pubs, where he tasted a half pint of local beer.

'Devastating effect'

It is hoped the guide, Creating A Sense Of Place: A Design Guide, will lead to better designed homes and help overcome objections from locals who do not want cheap housing to be built in their village.

Charles said the lack of cheap housing had a "devastating" effect on village life, and well-designed, affordable housing could help save villages from dying.

He said: "You only have to look at house prices and wage levels in the Lake District.

"This situation is by no means unique to this part of the world.

"Who will look after it all when villages are simply dormitories to commute from or temporary boltholes from city living?

"I hope it can be used to encourage objectors to think differently. This really could be the beginning of a solution on a substantial scale.