Prince Charles takes control of a steam engine

The prince is spending the day in Gwynedd, travelling by helicopter between four locations.

One of his first duties on Wednesday was to open a �500,000 fire station in the village of Llanfairfechan, which replaces the previous 103-year-old building.

Rain did not stop locals in the town turning out to see him being given a tour of the new station by Sub Officer Kevin Rowlands and watching the part time firefighters carrying training exercises.

Mr Rowlands is one of three members of his family to work at the station.

I was extremely impressed with the prince's driving and I think he should come and work here as a volunteer driver on the railway Tony Williams, engine driver

During his official speech, partially conducted in Welsh, Prince Charles commented: "It is something of a family business here.

"I just hope they can turn it into a hereditary station."

His next stop was in Waunfawr, Snowdonia, where he opened a restored section of the Welsh Highland Railway.

The project is working to reinstate the line between Caernarfon and Porthmadog, and backers hope the prince's seal of approval will help to secure much-needed funding.

After meeting with members of the Welsh Highland Railway Society and Antur Waunfawr, a group for people with mental and physical disabilities, he took a ride on a restored steam engine appropriately named Prince.

The vehicle, which dates from 1863, is said to be the world's oldest working narrow-gauge engine and was named following a visit by Edward VII when he was Prince of Wales.

Prince Charles spent Tuesday touring south Wales

Prince Charles took the train's controls for the final two miles of the journey from Snowdon ranger station to Rhyd Ddu.

Driver Tony Williams from Dolgellau said after the journey: "I was extremely impressed with the prince's driving and I think he should come and work here as a volunteer driver on the railway.

"The passengers tell me they couldn't tell the difference between his driving and mine."

Blue Peter

The prince later launched the Door to Door community project at Nefyn, which aims to provide car transport to elderly and disabled people on the Llyn peninsula.

He presented a �20,000 wheelchair-adapted van to the community for use in the scheme.

The money was raised through a Blue Peter appeal after 10-year-old Molly Steele from Caernarfon wrote to the BBC programme.

She said after meeting Prince Charles: "I can't believe he came here to see our van.

"I wanted to raise money for it because I love my grandma and I wanted to help people get around."

Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq gave the prince a Blue Peter badge.

Before leaving, he had tea with older members of the community at the Nanhoron Arms Hotel.

Peggy Williams, 91, from Aberdaron, commented: "He was so normal and chatty. Although I did tell him he had cold hands."