Prince Charles has praised the 'wonderful' brave imam who saved a terror suspect's life when he met him for the first time today.

The Prince of Wales went to the scene of the Finsbury Park terror attack and spoke to faith leaders who had gathered in north London.

In the early hours of Monday morning, Muslim leader Mohammed Mahmoud stepped in when an angry crowd attempted to 'kick and punch' suspect Darren Osborne, 47.

Osborne, from Cardiff, South Wales, was being restrained by three men following the suspected terror attack and Mahmoud has been hailed a hero.

The Prince of Wales speaks to imam Mohammed Mahmoud as he arrives at the Muslim Welfare House in north London to meet members of the local community

People had gathered to the scene and Prince Charles was photographed looking at the flowers which had been left to pay tribute to those caught up in the incident

The 68-year-old met the heroic imam at Finsbury Park station (wearing white) just days after the attack

Mahmoud, 30, shouted 'Don't touch him' and was able to surround and protect the terror suspect and shield him.

One man died and ten people were injured when a van driver targeted an area busy with worshippers at a nearby mosque in the early hours of Monday.

Prince Charles, 68, visited the Muslim Welfare House, close to where the attack took place and spoke to community leaders this afternoon.

He said he felt joy at being there 'despite the very sad, unfortunate circumstances' and that he remembered with 'great fondness' his visit there 30 years ago.

He said: 'But I did particularly want to bring a message from the Queen on this particular occasion.

'She has specifically asked me to tell you how shocked she was by what happened, particularly as the victims were worshippers who had been attending Ramadan prayers - and her Majesty's thoughts and prayers are with you all.

'And if I may say so, I can only but join my particular thoughts and prayers to her Majesty's on this occasion, and to say that for many years I have taken a great interest in the Muslim community in this country.'

Charles added that he was 'deeply impressed' by the imam who shielded the suspect until police arrived and 'his remarkable actions on that occasion'.

He said: 'Thank goodness we have wonderful leaders.'

Before the meeting Charles also greeted Yassin Hersi, 45, who was injured in the attack.

'Are you sure you should be here?', he asked the man, who was on crutches and had his right leg in a cast.

Charles was greeted by the imam, Vice Lord Lieutenant of Greater London Mike Dudgeon and a local student, Sahra Muhamed, 19, by a pavement of floral tributes.

Yassin Hersi met Prince Charles during a royal visit to the Muslim Welfare House today

Speaking after the heir to the throne had left, Yassin said he had just left evening prayer when he saw an elderly man collapsed on the pavement.

The Prince of Wales visited the Muslim Welfare House (pictured) which was close to the scene

Charles added that he was 'deeply impressed' by the imam (pictured) together) who shielded the suspect until police arrived and 'his remarkable actions on that occasion'

Once inside the welfare house, Charles met members of the local community and mosque leaders spoke about the response since the attack

Yassin, who has been left on crutches and a leg brace following the attack, said: 'I think he (Prince Charles) is showing us his sympathy really. He's sorry for what happened.

'We're all very happy to see that.'

He paused to read some of the hundreds of messages left by the public outside Finsbury Park Tube station.

One colourful poster, decorated with glitter hearts and flowers and signed with many names simply asked: 'Where's the love?'.

Another image showed cut out figures holding hands around a dove, symbolising peace, while white butterflies adorned the wall above the nearby bouquets.

And north London football team Arsenal sent a bouquet to mark the tragedy.

Charles was flanked by media and surprised members of the public as he got out of his car and he walked down a bustling road beneath a railway bridge.

Once inside the welfare house, Charles met members of the local community and mosque leaders spoke about the response since the attack.

Police are investigating a suspected terror attack after this hired van ploughed into people outside the Muslim Welfare House in Finsbury Park

Darren Osborne, 47, is believed to have grown up in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, but is now said to live in Cardiff, South Wales

Two police officers are seen helping a victim towards an ambulance car as devastated worshippers watch on in horror following last night's attack

He told told Muslims and community leaders that he was appalled by the terror attack on worshippers earlier this week.

Stephen Coles, vicar of the nearby St Thomas The Apostle Church, said Charles expressed shock at the attack and praised the Prince for a visit which drew together members of the community.

Stephen, who met the Prince of Wales, said: 'He was sitting with the Muslims to begin with and he came out and met the other people who were invited.

'We were asked to come to make sure people knew we were together in this area.

'I have been meeting Muslims in this area for 28 years.

'I think it's a matter of everybody showing we support one another and we are not a divided community, and I think his position gives weight to the fact that these people matter in our society.

'Also it is important for us to be able to tell people like him what's going on locally.

'He was alert to what had happened and was appalled as anybody else about what happened.'

Colin Adams, 53, chair of the Islington Hate Crime Forum, added: 'He had a private meeting with some of the Imams and the CEO of the Muslim Welfare House.

'We had a brief introduction and I told him what I did. He asked why I got involved in hate crime.

'He said keep up the work and it's good that we have people like you in the community.'