SCHOOLBOY Andrew Adams became the first of the Mohicans to come face-to-face with Prince Philip today.

The youngster, who modelled his haircut on the style recently favoured by his Manchester United idol David Beckham, joked with Prince Philip during a visit to Salford University.

Andrew is taking part in the university's summer school.

During the prince's walkabout his eye was caught by a bid to put man in space.

Philip, who is the founding chancellor of the university, seized the opportunity to take a look at the 30ft high Nova rocket, after officially launching the university's Academic Enterprise initiative.

Royal recognition

Director of space technology Steve Bennett was delighted with the royal recognition.

He said: ''He could just have walked past but he did stop to ask some relevant questions.

''I told him that this was putting Britain back in the space race.

''It is always nice to get a royal seal of approval even if it is unofficial.''

The Academic Enterprise initiative has been designed to build up economic partnerships between the university, local businesses and the community.

And Philip presented two Salford businesses - Bratzz Community Theatre and ACME Hair Company - with loans from the university's community banking project, Salford Moneyline.

Later he was scheduled to visit the university's summer scheme M5 4WT, which was set up to encourage youngsters to consider higher education, and the virtual reality centre.