WEST Devon-based charity RAPID-UK welcomed a special royal guest, their president, the Duke of Gloucester, last weekend to get a first-hand look at the group?s emergency rescue training. The RAPID-UK team was taking part in their monthly training weekend when they received a visit from the Duke who spent time trying out some of the hi-tech equipment used in search and rescue missions. Around 25 RAPID personnel were making use of a demolition site in Slough, Berkshire, where they could simulate a collapsed building. The Duke was shown over the site and introduced to team members by John Holland, director of operations and Graham Payne, director. He watched Morse and Amber, two search and rescue dogs, seek and find a casualty buried under a pile of rubble, and discussed with team members how some of the equipment is used in missions overseas. Graham Payne said it was a recurring problem finding suitable derelict buildings to use for training exercises, so the team was used to travelling around the country for their training weekends. He said: ?This was the first time the Duke had seen us actually working or training.? In June, RAPID-UK is holding an open day at its operational headquarters in Gloucester and preparations have begun for a fun day at Crownhill Fort in Plymouth to take place in September. RAPID-UK currently has a team in Sri Lanka, working in areas worst-affected by the tsunami. The organisation is also hoping to visit two of its sister disaster management groups, which it helped to set up in Peru and Pakistan, later this year. RAPID-UK (Rescue And Preparedness In Disasters) operates both abroad and in the UK in the search and rescue of casualties following major disasters. The charity is supported by 100% donations from the public and all its members are volunteers.