THE DUKE of Kent was in East Sussex to visit a pair of innovative and historic businesses this week.

The Duke of Kent attended the Woodland Enterprise Centre in Flimwell and Burslem Stonemasons in Frant on Wednesday.

Dignitaries including the Lord Lieutenant Peter Field, The High Sheriff Hugh Burnett, and representatives from Plumpton College were at the Woodland Centre to showcase the environmentally sustainable design and practices of the complex.

David Saunders, chief executive of the enterprise, explained that the centre established in 2003 encourages sustainable woodland management by local companies, as well as creating innovative methods of building and energy supply.

Following this, His Royal Highness travelled to Frant to visit the Burslem, a 128 year old stonemasons.

Burslem is best known for producing 150,000 headstones for soldiers who died in the first world war, and for inscribing the 56,000 names into the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.

David Hall, who has managed the company for 10 years, was delighted to be honoured with a royal visit.

Mr Hall said: "I think it is fantastic. It is a rare opportunity that anybody gets to greet a senior member of the Royal Family."

He pointed to the involvement of the company in the Imperial War Graves Commission as an important factor, but also to the more recent side of the business, working with granite and marble to prepare high quality design.

The Duke of Kent met with directors of local funeral directors, chairman of Wealden District Council Chantal Wilson, and parish council representatives before unveiling a plaque engraved by master letter cutter Terry Card, an engraver at Burslem for more than 40 years.

"It is a stomach churning moment," Mr Card confessed. "It is not often your work gets scrutinised by a royal."

Visit www.thisissussex.co.uk/slideshows for more pictures of the royal visit