A North East worker has described the surreal moment he got the King to flush a Lego poo down a toilet.
Tony Rutherford, who works for Northumbrian Water, met King Charles III during an event in Suffolk, while he was still the Prince of Wales.
The 44-year-old showed him a Lego model of the Treatment Works in Howdon, North Tyneside and explained how the site makes power from poo.
The Lego model contained a toilet and a row of houses. When a piece of Lego poo was flushed down the toilet, the lights would come on in the houses.
The dad-of-two, who lives in Ponteland, Northumberland, then asked the King to flush a piece of Lego poo down the toilet and he did so.
Tony, who is manager of the Treatment Works in Howdon, said: "I have got to be the only person the world to ask the King to flush a piece of Lego poo down a Lego toilet!
"I asked him and he totally took part, he was a great sport. The photograph of him laughing is just after he flushed a bit of Lego poo down the toilet!
"I have got two daughters and they thought it was hilarious. They were 10 and seven at the time and when I explained and showed them the photograph, they thought it was excellent.
"It's a story I will be able to keep on telling! I will never ever forget it."
Tony met King Charles during a Wealth from Waste Summit in November 2018.
He said that the King, who was Prince Charles at the time, appeared to make a beeline for him after spotting the Lego model.
He said: "There were about 12 other stands. He looked at the Lego and came straight over to ask about it. He said 'What's all this?' and I explained what happened here in the North East.
"Northumbrian Water is the only water company in the UK that treats all of its waste water by-product in our energy plant so we don't waste any.
"He was a really nice guy and he was really interested. He really listened to what I had to say.
"There were lots of people watching, taking photographs, listening and having a bit of a chuckle.
"I can't put into words how proud I am that I was asked to represent this company and, for me personally, I will have that story forever.
"I have often thought, if I did write him a letter, would he remember it! I'd like to think he would remember it."
Tony will be one of millions of people watching the Coronation of The King and The Queen Consort this Saturday.
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