Ironworks: Blaenavon has received special heritage status

He inspected the restoration work from a vantage point at the top of Big Pit overlooking the ironworks, which share the same heritage status as the Taj Mahal.

Prince Charles discussed the history of the ironworks with guides and local historians.

The Prince is due to meet with 200 business leaders on Tuesday at St James's Palace to help launch the Rural Business Campaign.

The project is aimed at supporting areas hard-hit by the recent foot-and-mouth crisis.

At the start of his tour of Wales, Prince Charles endorsed organic farming as an avenue for beleaguered farmers to turn to in an effort to revive their fortunes.

On Monday, the Prince will break open an iron cast mould, which contains a plaque to commemorate the town receiving World Heritage Site status.

Torfaen County Borough Council leader Brian Smith said Prince Charles's visit was a fitting recognition for the project.

"The Prince will see how people's lives are being improved through regeneration of the fabric of the town and through sensitive development of heritage-based visitor attractions."

Prince Charles: Extensive tour of Wales

The Prince is also due to officially open the Cwmaman Institute and Public Hall and visit the Welsh Institute of Chiropractic at the University of Glamorgan in Pontypridd.

The Prince's tour ends at the Pop Factory in Porth, Rhondda, in his role as President of the Prince's Trust.

The charity is currently working on a joint project at the state-of-the-art recording studios which were created out of a dilapidated Corona Pop Factory.

Young people are able to use the studio facilities and gain valuable music and multimedia experience.

Prince's premiere

As President of the Prince's Trust, Charles will tonight attend the Royal Premiere of Final Fantasy at the newly opened UGC cinema in Cardiff city centre.

The premiere of the computer-generated film, based on a computer game, will raise money for the Prince's Trust-Cymru which helps more than 3,000 young people a year.

It has also set up more than 430 young people in business with a higher success rate after three years than the national average.

The premiere is expected to be attended by Welsh celebrities such as singer Bonnie Tyler, actress Nerys Hughes, athlete Jamie Baulch, yachtswoman Tracey Edwards and weather presenter Sian Lloyd.