THE NEW £40 million service station on the M5 has been officially opened by the Prince of Wales.

The northbound Gloucester Services site opened for the first time in May last year with the southbound side being opened by His Royal Highness today (July 28).

Dedicated to local food and the surrounding community the services are the only ones in the country to donate two per cent of sales to charity.

HRH met the butchers, bakers, fishmongers and sausage roll makers who work and supply the services which have no chain stores.

As well as having a farmshop and butchers on site the world’s first motorway fishmonger is also run at the awarded winning services.

Produce is sourced from more than 130 supplies within 30 miles and 70 from across the South West.

Gloucester Services are also home to their own bee hives, and the Prince of Wales was presented with the first jar of “M5 honey” to celebrate the occasion. He also finished the final flourish of the “honey mural” commissioned to commemorate the occasion.

His visit also coincided with the announcement of a joint initiative with His Royal Highness’s Countryside Fund, launching The Prince’s Countryside Fund Sandwich, where 10p per sandwich will be donated to the fund, to support projects and people who care for the countryside.

The Wild Boar, Single Gloucester and Tomato and Red pepper sandwiches are all handmade on site with ingredients sourced from Cinderhill farm, chutney from Relish and Single Gloucester cheese from Godsells creamery, just a mile from the motorway services.

Sarah Dunning, CEO of Westmorland Family which owns and operate the services said: “It’s been a tremendous honour to have HRH The Prince of Wales officially open Gloucester Services.

“We share a mutual love and respect for the countryside. Farming is at the very heart of Gloucestershire life and landscape and the Westmorland Family team are only too aware of how sustainable local retailing can be a powerful economic force in supporting the rural economy.”