PRINCE Charles officially opened an engineering academy and vowed to keep an eye on the future careers of the young students there.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visited the JCB Academy in Rocester yesterday to unveil a plaque at the new £22 million school in the converted Tutbury Mill.

The royal couple arrived separately because Charles had previously been attending a function in Cumbria, but together they managed to meet many of the school's 170 students.

Prince Charles said: "I am so impressed with what has been achieved at this academy. Some of the students leave home at 6.30am to be here on time and they work until 5pm, not getting home until late.

"I was relieved to hear some of them manage to have a kip on the way home on the bus. They are working in a remarkable atmosphere.

"When I was serving in the navy more than 40 years ago I came across many engineers who I would talk to about all sorts of things.

"I hope this academy and others like it will thrive. We must rapidly develop low carbon energies.

"I am so thrilled to open this academy and in the future when I get older I would like to see where these students will end up."

After meeting dignitaries including Ian Dudson, High Sheriff of Staffordshire, Prince Charles toured the school's computers suites, design rooms and manufacturing workshops where he met the pupils. They showed off skills in precision metal work and welding.

Kristofer Anstey, aged 14, from Stone, was one of the first to speak to Prince Charles.

He said: "He was really friendly. He was asking me what I thought of the Academy and what I liked most about it.

"I told him the teachers are very supportive and we do a lot of practical work and really interesting extra curricular subjects like film engineering."

During the visit the Duchess of Cornwall enjoyed a dance performance by pupils from Dove First School, who regularly use the Academy's arts suite.

Meanwhile her husband met members of the academy's young enterprise company A1. They specialise in producing personalised memory sticks and presented two to His Royal Highness.

Project design Matt Barrett, aged 16, from Stafford, said: "Prince Charles was very friendly and relaxed and asked lots of questions."

The Prince met Network Rail employees who work in partnership with the school setting challenges for the pupils and investing in engineering developments.

He also inspected the academy's air cadet force and learnt about the history of the Grade II-listed Arkwright Mill which dates from 1781.

The academy, the idea of JCB chairman Sir Anthony Bamford, opened in September last year.

Sir Anthony said: "This mill is now home to a transformation in how young people are educated.

"Our hope is engineers and business leaders of the future will pass through the doors of this historical building."