A CHARITY carol concert held an extra surprise for the congregation.

For in their midst was one worshipper whose face is familiar to millions - the Prince of Wales.

Prince Charles is the patron of the charity Macmillan Cancer Relief, which was benefiting from the concert at Ripon Cathedral, in North Yorkshire, on Monday night. When he heard about the event, while staying at Bolton Abbey, he expressed a wish to attend. The organisers were only too happy to oblige and kept his visit a closely-guarded secret.

It was only on the night of the sell-out candlelit concert that delighted choristers from the Aysgarth prep school, near Bedale, discovered they were singing in front of the future king.

After the concert, the prince chatted with those who took part including the young choristers and readers from the school.

"The boys were absolutely thrilled to be performing for him," said school spokes-man Rosemary Marston yesterday.

Also taking part in the service were the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, actress Helen Weir, author Gervaise Phinn, author and TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh.

They all gave readings, as did Aysgarth schoolboys Dan Bradshaw, Richard Leeming and Harry Carr-Ellison.