Prince Harry and 20 of his pilot friends swapped their RAF uniforms for golfing gear to enjoy a night out in Shrewsbury at the weekend.

The 24-year-old royal and his pals were in high spirits as they enjoyed time away from their nearby base at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire – where the prince is learning to fly attack helicopters - to play a round of popular drinking game 'pub golf'.

"Harry was going around with a plastic golf club," a source told the Sun. "The group spent about £400 in under an hour. Harry spilt a mate's drink but had the decency to clear it up."

It was a rare night on the town for the trainees, a trip that a source from the military base has described as "team building." 

"Harry and his intake are banned from drinking 12 hours before a flying sortie (an operational flight) – so it's rare that they get a chance to let their hair down," he added.  

The evening preceded a relaxing weekend for the third in line to the throne, who headed down to Cornwall the following day for some surfing with friends before taking in a Razorlight concert.

Photo: � Rex