The Prince of Wales praised the role of local newspapers when he met the editor of the West Essex Guardian.

David Jackman was introduced to Prince Charles when he visited the Abbey Church, Waltham Abbey.

The church was the scene of an horrific attack last year when a man ran amok with an axe, smashing historic artefacts.

Prince Charles wanted to visit the church to see the restoration work that had been carried out and Newsquest editor David (pictured below), who launched the Abbey Church Appeal Fund the morning after the attack, was among the guests.

The appeal, started with £5 pocket money given to the church by a young girl, went on to raise £12,000, including contributions from across the country, as well as America and Canada.

During their conversation, the Prince commented on the success of the local media over the national press, with the locals able to be trusted for their accuracy.

The Prince also viewed a display of Guardian photographs showing the scene in the church in the aftermath of the attack.

The Prince spent over an hour looking at the restoration work before he moved onto other engagements in the area.

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