DYB DYB DIG, LOU

Prince of Wales and his family join volunteers at Scout hut renovation

- RUSSELL MYERS, EMMELINE SAUNDERS and CLAIRE DONNELLY

PRINCE Louis had a great time on his first public engagement, driving a digger with his dad, pushing a wheelbarrow and doing some painting as the family helped renovate a Scout hut for The Big Help Out.

And when their work was done, five-year-old Louis had a go at archery along with brother George, nine, and sister Charlotte, eight, who beat the boys by hitting the bull's-eye.

The Prince of Wales and his family were volunteering at the 3rd Upton Scouts Hut in Slough, Berks, as part of a nationwide day of volunteering to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla.

William and Kate and their children helped relay a path, dig a new soakaway and varnish the main door, as well as adding planters to the front of the building and a mural to create a lasting legacy of The Big Help Out's work.

Louis got to sit in the digger with Wills after seeing George have a go and telling his mother: "I want to go in with him."

He and Charlotte also helped paint a planter, getting some of it on their hair and legs.

One volunteer told Louis: "You might want to be a painter when you grow up." He fired back: "No a fighter pilot." "Just like your father and grandfather, the lady said.

William and George both wielded drills as they put together a wooden planter. William joked: "So far it's still holding together."

The Big Help Out was set up by charities such as the Scouts, Royal Voluntary Service and National Trust, with 55,123 events for 33,228 grassroots and community organisations scheduled.