Holbeach reader shares story of Prince Philip and actor James Robertson Justice being ordered out of The Bull Hotel in Long Sutton

Readers have been sharing memories of the Duke of Edinburgh following his death last week.

Jack Mills had been told an amusing story concerning Prince Philip's stay at The Bull Hotel in Long Sutton, from actor James Robertson Justice, who was a regular wildfowler in the area.

Prince Philip joined the actor during an morning shoot on the outmarsh in 1954.

Mr Mills, of Holbeach, said: "Arriving secretly the two of them laid out all their gear on the scullery before loading into the car."

This created some problems for a staff member who had arrived early to clean.

Mr Mills said: "To her horror, she saw the clobber on the scullery floor and was unable to start work.

"She knew Justice well but had no idea who the other fellow was, and ordered them both to get out in no uncertain terms."

Valerie Venables said Prince Philip enabled her late father Bert Toynton, who had been born in Spalding, to stay in luxury.

Mr Toynton, who was in the Royal Engineers, had been working on the Earl of Mountbatten's estate.

Valerie, of Skegness, said: "Prince Philip, not then a prince, but a very young man, came upon him working. He asked where Dad was sleeping, while the job was being completed, and he replied in the building where he was working.

"The young Philip said he would organise a room for him to sleep in the house.

"So Dad then had a room in a stately home for a few nights, thanks to the kindness of Prince Philip as a young man."