Prince Charles shared a first-class carriage with other passengers

Prince Charles shared the first class carriage from London to Woking, in Surrey, with other business travellers.

His spokesman said no special arrangements were made other than to make a seat reservation.

"It is something we're trying to do - travel by car or rail rather than use the helicopter," he said.

It was the first time the Prince had used a timetabled public train on an official engagement in the UK.

On arrival, he walked from Woking station to The Peacocks shopping centre, chatting to hundreds of people who lined the streets.

Local woman, Brenda Jolliffe, handed him a card for the Duchess of Cornwall, wishing her well after her recent hysterectomy.

Charles said he would give it straight to his wife, saying: "She will be pleased."

I wanted to bring a few more people here [to Woking] to show them what is happening Prince Charles

At the shopping centre he unveiled an exhibition encouraging individuals to cut their own carbon emissions, which is to go on tour throughout the UK next month.

He also saw examples of work by Woking Borough Council to reduce carbon emissions, including a glass and steel canopy in the town centre which converts solar power to energy.

The Prince said the town, which has cut its carbon emissions by 82% since 1990, was "leading the way with all this sustainable activity".

He praised the council's efforts during a private meeting with the likes of Marks & Spencer chief executive Stuart Rose, representatives from Woking's business community and several other local authorities.

"I wanted to bring a few more people here to show them what is happening," he said later.

Charles was accused of "green hypocrisy" in January for flying to the US to pick up an environmental award.