A boy from Sherston, near Malmesbury, received a letter of thanks on behalf of Prince Charles after sending him a handwritten poem about the prince's visit to the village in November.

Jacob Cheetham, six, who goes to Sherston School, decided to write about the royal visit when he was set poetry homework. His mother, Sophie, was delighted and thought the heir to the throne would also enjoy it.

Mrs Cheetham, who has two other sons Zac, four, and one-year-old Reuben, said: “We photocopied it and sent it off with a letter.

“I didn’t hear anything for a while and then at the beginning of half term Jacob got a letter back to say that Prince Charles sends his very best wishes. Jacob was very excited; it was very sweet.”

The anaphora style poem, where each sentence begins the same, describes how ‘when Prince Charles came to Sherston...’ it was a cold November morning’, ‘the children waved flags and cheered’ and ‘it was a very special day’.

In a handwritten letter to Prince Charles, Jacob said: “Your Royal Highness, I have written a poem about your visit to Sherston on November 25, 2013. I enclose a copy for you.”

In response, officials from Clarence House wrote back to ‘Master Jacob Cheetham’ and said: “The Prince of Wales has asked me to thank you for your kind letter of 26th January and for sending him your delightful poem about his visit to Sherston in November.

“The Prince of Wales was thrilled to learn how the grant given by The Prince’s Countryside Fund had enabled the village community group to finish the renovations at the village Old School to make space for the village shop and businesses.

“It was kind of you to write to His Royal Highness and as a small token of thanks I have enclosed a booklet about his life which I hope you will enjoy reading.

"His Royal Highness has asked me to pass on his very best wishes.”

‘Master ’ Cheetham took his letter in to school for all of his class to see.

He said: “I feel happy and my mum keeps telling me Prince Charles will be King one day; I’m very excited.

“I brought it in to show and tell in my class.

“Some of the children told their mummies and daddies.”

Mrs Cheetham added: “I told him that Mummy and Daddy haven’t had any letters from the Queen, or any royalty, so that made him realise it was quite exciting.”