Cheering schoolchildren greeted Prince Charles when he switched on a water fountain in the gardens of Arundel Castle yesterday.

The prince officially opened a garden in memory of one of England's first great art collectors, Thomas Howard 14th Earl of Arundel.

The Collector Earl's Garden was opened during an afternoon reception hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk.

The two-acre garden built on a former car park in the castle's grounds was designed by awardwinning husband and wife team Julian and Isabel Bannerman.

Following his arrival by helicopter, the Prince of Wales greeted designers and craftsman involved in the three-year project, before switching on the garden's "dancing crown"

fountain in front of cheering school children.

During his speech, he quipped: "On account of the fact my ancestors apparently succeeded in locking up the Duke of Norfolk's ancestors rather regularly, I do find it even more touching that I should be invited here today to open this remarkable new garden."

"I know how difficult these sorts of ventures can be and how courageous you have to be.

Here, we have an example how you can turn what used to be a car park into a garden of beauty, amusement and timelessness."

The Duchess said: "I'm hopeful this garden will attract visitors from across the globe. It contains the only dancing crown in England."

The garden's centrepiece is a green oak version of Oberon's Palace containing a fountain with the crown balancing on a jet of water.

Its domed pergola and fountains are based on those seen in the famous Mytens portrait of the Countess of Arundel, which still hangs in one of the castle's drawing rooms.