History has shown that the people of Ebbw Vale are more than capable of meeting a challenge like this one

Prince Charles

The prince's second visit to Wales of the year is part of a St David's Day tour taking in an investiture in Cardiff and a visit to Swansea's Townhill estate.

It is hoped his arrival in the area's steel heartland could help ease the economic and emotional pain prompted by Corus' decision to axe over 3,000 workers across Wales and 6,000 around the UK.

Around 400 of a total 780 staff been discarded so far as the company winds down its tinplate works - one of a series of cost-driven cutbacks including the loss of another 1,340 jobs at the massive Llanwern plant near Newport.

Economic debate

On St David's Day he met local councillors, college students, union and business leaders in a meeting at the town's Coleg Gwent.

"Ever since I heard of the Corus steel closure I wanted to try and find a way of coming down here to see for myself what is happening here.

"To find ways, through different organisations, to make a small contribution towards the regeneration of the community."

He said he was to pleased to see that various agencies were working hard to insure a brighter future for the valleys town.

"History has shown that the people of Ebbw Vale are more than capable of meeting a challenge like this one," said the prince.

In January, the prince's visit to the Brecon Beacons buoyed local rural tourist operators and farmers hard hit by last year's crippling foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Prince Charles: Spoke of 'tragedy' of Ebbw Vale

This Friday lunchtime, he joined Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy, union leaders and industrial academics for a session at Ebbw Vale's Coleg Gwent to debate new employment provision for discarded workers.

In January, First Minister Rhodri Morgan announced a combined �76m aid package umbrella to stimulate economic regeneration, a main plank of which was the re-opening of a passenger rail link between Ebbw Vale and Cardiff.

At the time of the announcement, Transport and General Workers Union general secretary Bill Morris said: "The loss of Ebbw Vale will cut the life blood of a community with the worst unemployment in Wales."

Since, the rate of re-employment has reportedly fluctuated with hopes of an acceleration in the allocation of jobs for former steel men toward the summer.

Earlier in Cardiff, Prince Charles performed an investiture ceremony in Cardiff Castle.

Disabled campaigner Jacqueline James, from Penarth near Cardiff received her MBE separately from the Prince in the castle's library.

The lack of wheelchair access made it impossible for Ms James to join the other people honoured in the banqueting hall.

"I told the prince that I felt that the access was very bad for disabled people," Mrs James said.

"He said `Yes of course, people must look at it'.