New art and design facilities for students at Truro and Penwith College have been given the royal seal of approval.

Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, visited the newly built Ginkgo Art Centre at Truro College Tregye, Carnon Downs, to formally open the new facilities.

After arriving by helicopter Prince Edward was greeted by staff and students from the college and given a tour of the state of the art facilities before unveiling a plaque to formally open the building.

Among those welcoming Prince Edward was Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Lady mary Holbourough, , and the Lord Lieutenant’s army cadet, Rebecca Eddy.

Rebecca, from Penryn, was taking part in her last public duty before she hands the baton over to a new cadet in October.

The purpose built arts centre next to Tregye Manor House cost £1.3million to build and is used by students taking Truro College's foundation diploma in art and design.

It is designed to provide students with a broad knowledge of art and design, to help them progress to higher education or specialise in certain areas The building's name is taken from a ginkgo tree, growing in the grounds of Tregye estate.

Ginkgo seeds are used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of conditions.