THE Duke of Edinburgh visited a Sussex outdoor education centre and was impressed by the work of glamour model Jordan.

But his praise for Jordan, real name Katie Price, was for her building talents, not her modelling skills.

Hindleap Warren, at Forest Row, is an outdoor education activity centre for children which Jordan and some of her old school friends from Brighton and Hove visited last year for the TV show With A Little Help from My Friends, presented by Ditchling resident Jamie Theakston.

The model was challenged to carry out various building projects at the centre with just five days and no budget.

The Duke's visit was to mark the 40th anniversary of the centre.

His tour included the indoor swimming pool, which was renovated during the TV show to include a full range of disabled facilities.

It was the second visit in six years by the Duke, who is patron of London Youth, which runs the centre.

As he toured the complex with David Nottidge, the director of Hindleap Warren, the Duke joked with some of the children playing with canoes in the pool, while others stuck to swimming.

Mr Nottidge said: "The Duke was most impressed with the work that had been carried out by Jordan and her friends for the television show.

"For us it saved the day, as the work was carried out free of charge for the programme. The roof on the pool would have cost £40,000 alone."

The Queen's husband waved to children playing in the pool, warning them not to get too carried away and topple over as they paddled the canoes around.

He also saw the sensory room, which Jordan and her team helped to create during their five days at the centre to help children with sight difficulties.

Jordan was especially interested in this project as her young son Harvey is congenitally blind and uses sensory equipment.

The Duke was introduced to Di Churchill, the manager of the Activenture Programme which helps children with disabilities and special needs.

He was also able to see the wide range of activities, from rock climbing and mountain biking to abseiling and kayaking available at the centre.

Youth leaders told the Duke that many of the children who had visited the centre had come away with new-found confidence and skills that had changed their lives.