CAMILLA, Duchess of Cornwall visited Wirral today as part of a tour of Merseyside.

A visit to Wirral Credit Union's 20th New Ferry office to celebrate the organisation’s 20th anniversary and a chance to learn more about the Tranmere Community Project were on the schedule.

There were also visits to the Beatles Story Museum in Liverpool and a trip to Woolton to officially open the Diamond Jubilee Gates at Reynolds Park.

At Wirral Credit Union, the Duchess met staff and presented founder, Mr Bo Tsang, with a birthday card to mark the 20th anniversary.

The company provides financial help for local residents.

It was established in May 1992 by Mr Bo Tsang, then a Credit Union Development Worker for Wirral council.

It was originally set up for council employees, but later expanded to serve anyone who works or lives in Wirral.

It now has three branches - New Ferry, Birkenhead and Wallasey. Steve Kendrick, manager of the New Ferry branch described the visit as an "unexpected honour".

He told the Globe: "I was nervous before the visit, and a lot of planning and organisation had gone into it.

"The Duchess was very interested in what we do, very supportive, and it was a fantastic day."

During her visit to the Tranmere Community Project, the Duchess met young parents aged 16-21 who are helped by the 'Young Parents Peer Mentoring' programme.

The scheme allows young parents to acquire the skills and confidence needed to be able to cope with a baby and to support their child's development.

These skills range from money management to bathing a new born.