A 93-year-old who was crowned Age UK’s Internet Champion last year met Prince Charles at an informal reception in London.

James Perry, of High Street, Sheerness, was invited to St James’s Palace last week as part of celebrations to mark five years since Age Concern and Help the Aged joined to become Age UK.

Accompanying him on the trip was Beverly Nolker, of the Prison Officers’ Association, who instructed Mr Perry in how to use the world wide web.

She runs a course from HMP Standford Hill, Eastchurch, which offers free one-to-one computer tuition to older people.

Around 100 guests attended the champagne reception hosted by the prince.

Mr Perry said: “We shook hands and had a little chat and he asked us what we were doing there. I told him about being the Internet Champion and we got into a discussion about what I did in my free time, if I get any. Just general small talk really.

“It was all very informal. There was no bowing or scraping or curtseying. It was just like you or I going to a party.”

Mr Perry says he has now mastered the iPad but he is still staying well away from Facebook and Twitter, saying: “I draw the line at that. It’s all a nonsense how you can spend your time listening to inane remarks.”