A FESTIVAL to celebrate a town’s links with Richard III is expected to draw thousands of visitors, following an upsurge in interest in the last Plantagenet king.

The king’s home town - the North Yorkshire horseracing centre of Middleham - has experienced soaring numbers of visitors since the remains of the 15th century were unearthed under a car park in Leicester earlier this year.

Members of Middleham Town Council said they were harnessing a wave of curiousity about the king by launching a festival alongside English Heritage, which owns Richard III’s home, Middleham Castle.

A festival spokeswoman said Middleham Mayor Tammi Tolhurst and Councillor Honor Byford hope to make it an annual event to celebrate the town’s royal heritage.

She said: “While there has been a clear rise in visitors in recent months, it is difficult to tell how much of that is related to Richard III’s remains being found as the town has also seen a rise in visitors as the Tour de France will be passing through it next year.

“However, visitors are asking a lot about Richard III and we have been surprised how strong the feelings are for him, with many people saying they feel his remains should be brought to York or Middleham.”

Coun Tolhurst said: "He will always be Yorkshire’s king and holds a place of deep affection with his loyal Yorkshire subjects."

After a children’s procession from St Mary and Akelda’s Church to the castle and an inauguration ceremony today (Friday, June 5), actors dressed as Richard III and Queen Anne raised his standard above the town for the first first time in more than 500 years.

The castle was a favourite residence of the king, where he lived during his childhood as well as in later life with Queen Anne and their son, Edward of Middleham.

Other events during the three-day festival, set to conclude on Sunday, also include an evening of medieval entertainment at the church, a country market, a craft fair, a procession by King Richard & Queen Anne and audiences with them, wandering minstrels and re-enactments at the castle.

It will also feature a lecture revealing details about Richard III’s life and death in 1485 at the Battle of Bosworth, by leading experts, historian Steven Brindle, Philippa Langley of the Richard III Society, who grew up in Darlington, and Professor Sarah Hainsworth, of Leicester University.