ONE of the region's great stately homes is preparing for a Royal visit with a difference.

Castle Howard, near Malton, is about to roll out the red carpet for Queen Victoria and her consort, Prince Albert.

Foundation Degree Theatre Studies students from Park Lane College in Leeds will be re-enacting the visit of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to Castle Howard in 1850 as part of their degree course.

The performances will take the form of a promenade journey through the house, where visitors will witness the preparations for the arrival of their Royal Highnesses and meet characters involved, from footmen to the Earl of Carlisle.

The college's head of creative arts, Vivienne Razavilar, said: "All of the students involved have worked really hard on this project as part of their work-based learning, researching the characters and writing scripts.

"I am thrilled that we have had the opportunity to engage these students in what is becoming a very popular form of theatre: bringing history to life."

The performances will take place on May 14 at 11.30am and 2.30pm, on May 16 at 10.30am and 1.30pm, and on May 17 at 11.30am and 2.30pm, and last for about one hour. The cost is included in the admission to Castle Howard.