MUSIC, flags and cheers welcomed the Prince of Wales to the village of Muker, in Swaledale, last Friday.

Hundreds of people of all ages lined the street outside the Swaledale Woollens shop to greet Prince Charles as he paid a visit to mark the business' 30th birthday.

Owner Kathleen Hird said she was thrilled that the Prince had decided to visit.

"As we are celebrating our 30th year, I wrote to the Prince asking if he would send a letter of encouragement to the people who knit for us," said Mrs Hird.

"He was so interested that he asked his secretary to find out more about it, and I invited him to come here. I was absolutely amazed and delighted when he accepted because we are such a tiny village at the top of the Dales. We certainly didn't expect such a privilege."

Swaledale Woollens sells knitted hats, jumpers, gloves, scarves and other items, individually knitted by about 30 local people, the oldest of whom is 93-year-old Mary Hall. It was founded by David and Grizel Morris, who retired two years ago, and is now run by Mrs Hird and her husband, Kenneth, with the help of staff Anne Guy and Gillian Whitehead.

Before touring the shop, the Prince was introduced to Mr and Mrs Morris.

Mr Morris said: "Thirty years ago things weren't so good in the area, businesses were closing down and we needed something to revive it. We had a meeting and decided to make the most of our knitting heritage. We found some willing helpers and the business just took off."

Since then the shop has attracted tourists and business from around the world, including an order to provide mittens for an expedition to the North and South Poles.

Mr Morris said: "The Prince has been interested in our items for a while and over the years he has bought some and been photographed wearing them."

The Prince was shown around the shop and storeroom by Mrs Hird and introduced to knitters Ella Stubbs, 79, Betty Reynoldson and her daughter, Heather.

Mrs Stubbs said: "Knitting for the shop has been a godsend for me. It fills in the time and there's a nice little cheque at the end."

Outside the shop, Prince Charles unveiled a plaque commemorating 30 years of Swaledale Woollens and was presented with a natural coloured sweater made of Swaledale wool by Doug and Rene Stone.

Children from Arkengarthdale CE School and Gunnerside Primary School were outside to welcome the Prince, and he was introduced to Arkengarthdale pupils Hannah Hughes, ten, and Thomas Coates, six, who were the winners of a competition to design a logo for the shop.

Hannah Hughes, who was wearing a jumper with her design of a sheep on a skateboard knitted into it by Mary Birbeck, said: "He asked me how I came up with the idea for the design and said he liked my jumper. He was really funny and it was nice to meet him."

The Prince was then taken to the next door pub, the Farmer's Arms, where he enjoyed a whisky on the house, served by Maurice Peacock, whose brother, Michael, runs the pub along with David and Sheila Alderson. He told residents: "I love this part of the world."

The Prince settled down for an egg mayonnaise sandwich and a chat with Mr Alderson's brother, Raymond, and parents Joan and Jack.

Jack Alderson said: "He was very interested in what was happening in the Dales and asked how businesses and schools were doing. He was worried about things closing in rural areas and the effect that would have on the communities."

Mrs Alderson said meeting the Prince had been a pleasure.

"I think he's a lovely man," she said. "For him to come all the way out here to visit us is wonderful."

Having been challenged to a game of dominoes, the Prince demonstrated a perhaps unexpected skill, beating seasoned players John Craig, John Kilburn, Alan Hunter and Gordon Peacock.

Mr Craig insisted the Prince had won on merit.

"He's actually an excellent player," said Mr Craig. "He could do with picking up a tip or two from us, but we were very impressed."

After the game the Prince went outside where Muker Silver Band had been playing Christmas carols and marches throughout the visit.

Principal cornet player Philip Calvert said: "He thanked us for the music and said he enjoyed it. He asked if we were cold because he noticed a few of us were wearing gloves."

The Prince thanked the residents of Muker for their hospitality, and said a final goodbye to the 34 Arkengarthdale pupils, who has been patiently waiting to wave him off.

Headteacher Mary Hutchinson said: "He asked how many children we had on roll and said he was pleased our numbers were high. It was worth the wait to see him, especially seeing the children's faces when he talked to them.