A LONG-awaited project to provide a cafe and meeting place for young people in Yate came to fruition when Prince Edward officially opened the £1.5 million Armadillo building.

After more than 15 years of talking, planning, designing and construction – with input from many youngsters – the centre opened in July.

But there was an extra 45-minute wait before their royal visitor could declare it open yesterday after a storm meant the helicopter carrying the Earl of Wessex could not land.

Among those who took him on a tour were management committee members Megan Davis, 15, and Andre Corway, 16, and manager James Dunn. Megan said: "It's been fantastic, really mind blowing, to have the prince here."

Andre said: "I thought it would be quite hard but he's such a nice guy to get on with."

Prince Edward also listened to the band CB Sessions from Bristol and watched a performance by Yate and Chipping Sodbury members of the JP Dance Academy, run by Jake Peters, 25.

The prince unveiled a plaque to mark his visit, acknowledging it had been "a long, long-held dream" and wished "this fantastic place" the best of luck before being presented with two Armadillo centre T-shirts for his children by user Anne Piper, who won a contest to name the venue. Armadillo opens after school and at weekends, has DJ equipment, pool table and will have a cinema screen in the new year.