PRINCE Andrew tucked into locally caught fish, Suffolk smoked ham and traditional English roast beef before visiting a thriving company in Lowestoft yesterday.

PRINCE Andrew tucked into locally caught fish, Suffolk smoked ham and traditional English roast beef before visiting a thriving company in Lowestoft yesterday.

The Duke of York lunched with local dignitaries at The Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club in the town before visiting the Sanyo Industries television plant in School Road.

As the Special Representative for International Investment and Trade, the Duke was a guest of UK Trade and Investment and Invest East of England, which supports nearly 2,000 foreign-owned companies in East Anglia.

The Prince arrived at Walmer Road Sports Ground by helicopter from Norfolk and was met in north Suffolk by the Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk, Lord Tollemache, and the force Assistant Chief Constable, Colin Langham-Fitt.

He was whisked by car to the yacht club in Royal Plain where he met the High Sheriff of Suffolk, John Thurlow, the chairman of Suffolk County Council, Helen Whitworth, chairman of Waveney District Council, Sandra Keller, Commodore of the yacht club, Dr David Turner, and the chairman of Invest East of England, Sir Brian Corby.

After a lunch of cod, plaice, ham, beef and pasta, the Prince was escorted by the police to the Sanyo plant, which is the largest colour television manufacturer in the country.

After meeting Noel Salmon, director and vice president of Sanyo Industries (UK), UK Managing Director Takashi Yonenaga and European managing director Yuji Moriya, the Duke toured the factory and unveiled a commemorative plaque before being given the company's latest digital movie camera.

The plant, established in 1982, is looking to add 70 staff members to its current work force of 360 this year even though most of its UK competitors have transferred production to low wage bases in Eastern Europe and Turkey.

Mr Salmon was delighted the plant had been selected for the Royal visit.

He said: "We are bucking the trend as we are continuing to make whole range of televisions here. We can respond to the market quickly and we are confident of the quality of televisions produced here."

James Gray, Chief Executive of Invest East of England, said: "We are delighted to welcome HRH The Duke of York back to the region. On this occasion, it is a privilege to showcase a highly successful company in Suffolk and provide the opportunity for HRH to gain an insight into its activities."