The Duke of Edinburgh visited a wetlands and wildfowl centre today.

He strode across a muddy field to chat and laugh with youngsters at the centre on the outskirts of Sunderland.

The Washington Wetland Centre opened in 1975 and is home to a number of birds, including flamingos, geese and ducks.

For most of his 30-minute visit to the centre, the Duke stayed on the main paths but at one point walked out into the mud to speak to pupils from the nearby JFK Primary School.

Year Four teacher Rebecca Newsome said: ''I thought he was very friendly. We were all surprised, but very pleased, when he came out across the mud and spoke to us.

''It was a lovely thing to do and all of the children were delighted.''

Pupil Lewis Thompson, aged eight, said: ''He was very nice and asked if we were having a nice time.

''He was on the path and we did not think he would walk across the mud to come and talk to us.

''It was really, really nice of him.''

Centre manager Chris Francis, who accompanied the Duke on the tour, said: ''He knew all about the birds, and indeed told me what each of the birds were.

''He was very interested and it was very nice to see him make the effort to speak to the young children.''

When asked if the royal visitor had made any comments about the current bird flu problems, Mr Francis replied: ''He never mentioned a word about it.''