It was once where a disused canal came to a grinding halt and shadows of dilapidated buildings flickered in its murky waters.

Few people would have batted an eyelid had it been levelled.

That was 1987 when the Prince of Wales, wearing his president of Business in the Community hat, first visited this rundown waterfront. Since that day it has changed out of all recognition and the vision of a canal basin which would become a hub of enterprise and leisure was conceived.

Yesterday, 20 years later, Prince Charles returned to the canalside to see the extraordinary improvements that have been made.

He found an operational marina, restaurants, a canal no longer severed by Tuel Lane but fully restored through to Littleborough and beyond and a thriving business community.

And he met representatives from Calderdale Council, British Waterways, Yorkshire Forward and the Heritage Lottery Fund who helped bring about the change.

There are those who pillory the Prince for his outspoken views on a whole range of topics. Yet his support has guaranteed the success of so many worthwhile projects.

What has happened at Sowerby Bridge is a textbook lesson in the benefits of regeneration.

And a prime example of how, given a dream and the impetus to pursue it, the right kind of people can get things done.