The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall caught up with the latest developments in healthcare in Wiltshire yesterday at three separate events.

The Duchess gave her very public backing to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance, which had been under threat earlier this year after a review by health chiefs.

Meanwhile, Prince Charles opened the new residential care home in Malmesbury, just a few miles from his Highgrove home, before opening a new primary care centre next door.

Twenty miles away, the Duchess heard how fundraisers were busy keeping the county's air ambulance flying, and bought some of the appeal's mascots for her grandchildren.

The helicopter, which is shared with Wiltshire police, was under threat when ambulance chiefs said they no longer wanted a long-term contract because they were reviewing air ambulance provision in the region.

A new boss of Great Western Ambulance Service has now relented and a longer-term deal between the two services is now likely.

The Duchess praised the "fantastic" efforts of the fundraisers, who raise more than £300,000 a year to pay for the ambulance side of the service. She met those who dedicate their lives to the appeal, as well as some of those whose lives were saved by it.

Among them was groom Louise Neale, 30, of Corsham, who was with her parents Linda and Stephen. She told the Duchess about her horrific accident in March 2000 when a horse kicked her in the face and she suffered a fractured skull.

A grateful Miss Neale has raised about £3,000 for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance. She said: "The Duchess said that it was good I was still riding horses and working with them. She was very nice, very friendly."

Also there to welcome the Duchess were the 10 volunteers who work in the appeal's shop in Westbury. The shop has raised £1 million in 10 years. Shop manager Dot Whitehead, 77, said: "The Duchess asked how we raised the money and said it was fantastic. She said she was hoping to come to the shop in the near future."

The Duchess also met five-year-old Thomas Chudley, from Holt, near Trowbridge, whose life was saved last year. He was on a visit to his new school when he suffered a seizure and collapsed unconscious. He was airlifted to Bristol's Children's hospital and was eventually diagnosed with a pneumonia infection.

"Thomas was poorly very quickly and the air ambulance saved his life," said his mother Clare. "The Duchess said one of her children had pneumonia and she remembers how frightening it was. She was lovely and easy to talk to."

Later in the afternoon, Prince Charles was met by the residents of Athelstan House, a new care home in Malmesbury named after Athelstan 'The Glorious', king of England in the 10th century, whose tomb is in Malmesbury Abbey.

He took part in a beetle drive, throwing the dice for Betty Chaplin, 90. She said: "He asked me if my bed was comfortable and said he'd have a cup of tea with me later. I've always loved royalty. He was wonderful and so natural."

He also met toddlers from King's Day Nursery, who had been brought to meet the Prince. Formally opening the home, the Prince paid tribute to care workers.

It was also announced yesterday that the Prince will be back in Wiltshire next week, this time visiting soldiers on exercise on Salisbury Plain.