Prince William heard all about the local charity that saved an 18-year-old’s life on a special visit to Swindon.

The royal visit was put together with only three days' notice and organisers said William was desperate to meet the inspiration Bryden family.

As crowds gathered around the doorway to welcome the future King, it was clear that they were keen to meet him too.

BEST – Be a Better You, is a charity which supports young people who have previously gone down a dark path, and helps them find a new purpose in life.

AS IT HAPPENED: Prince William's visit to Swindon charity

It was set up by Don Bryden from Swindon after his daughter Jess was exposed to criminal exploitation at the age of 12.

"I was in school and I just got mixed up in the wrong crowds," Jess, 18, told William in a heart-to-heart. "It got worse and I started taking drugs, which then led to County lines,” 

"I was so young, I just had no idea what I was actually involved in at that point."

At the age of 14, Jess attempted to overdose and take her own life, and that was when her father knew he had to intervene, taking Jess to Wales to escape it all.

It was there that she found boxing, which was a way out of the darkness.

"Boxing also gave me a purpose, it was my reason to wake up in the mornings," she told the Prince.

Swindon Advertiser: Boxing has helped Jess to turn her life around.Boxing has helped Jess to turn her life around. (Image: PA)

Just a few years after picking up the gloves, Jess is now an enthusiastic young adult, who will be competing in Sheffield at the national championships.

She told The Adver: "I'm hoping for the Olympics one day and I might represent William's team as GB, so it was an honour to meet him. He’ll be my future King!"

The boxing powerhouse offered Prince William a chance to try on the gloves and join her in the ring, but after seeing what she can do, he politely declined.

Prince William met many other teenagers and volunteers who all had a story to tell.

Swindon Advertiser: The Prince of Wales posed for photos with volunteers and young people from the charity BEST.The Prince of Wales posed for photos with volunteers and young people from the charity BEST. (Image: PA)

“I think one of the real things that has helped these young people is the opportunity for role models, endorphins and trusting relationships that this charity provides for them through sport,” said deputy manager, Laura Frankham-Gething.

Although the visit was brief, the Prince drove away from Swindon leaving behind dozens of teens with happy memories - and selfies - that will last them a lifetime and surely inspire many more.

Erskine Smith, who works at BEST, said: "I loved it. He was really humble and very respectful. He even asked me about my country Barbados and my journey to come here, and he listened to attentively to my story."