The Prince of Wales championed rural tourism when he visited celebrity farmer Adam Henson’s farm attraction – and found himself surrounded by piglets.

Charles toured Cotswold Farm Park – a rare breed centre visited by 150,000 people a year – which opened its doors to the public on July 4 after months of closure due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The heir to the throne was keen to learn how the attraction and a 1,600-acre holding both run by Henson, who co-presents the BBC’s Countryfile, were coping during the pandemic which has seen businesses suffer financially.

In a lighter moment, the Prince was taken into a small field and shown an inquisitive Gloucestershire old spot sow and her energetic piglets.

Mr Henson said: “I know he wanted to come to make a statement, to get it out there, the value of rural tourism, rare breeds, conservation and education – that’s very much what we’re about.

“We’re a big commercial farm but the diversification and rural tourism part of our business is essential, but has been suffering seriously during Covid-19, as so many other businesses have.”

The Prince who is patron of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) said: “It’s a real uphill struggle to get people to understand how valuable they are.”

Herefordshire, like Gloucestershire, is home to several pig farmers, including Matt Cleland.

Mr Cleland is one of dozens of farmers nominated for the Hereford Times’ Farming Awards which will take place in a live digital broadcast on November 26.

Amongst the categories is pig farmer of the year – and we’re looking for nominations.

To nominate yourself, or a farmer you think who is worthy of recognition, for any category visit herefordtimes.com/awards/tcf