THE Duke of York embarked on a whistle-stop tour of North Yorkshire yesterday - including a ride on the newly restored Wensleydale Railway.

Prince Andrew's day began in Thirsk, where he toured the Multidrive factory, which makes specialist vehicles for the military and for export.

Managing director Chris Chambers revealed the visit came about after he met the Duke at another engagement and invited him to view the facility.

Yesterday, Mr Chambers said he was impressed by the Prince's depth of knowledge.

The Duke's next engagement was in Northallerton where he opened the newly refurbished magistrates court, in the town's Racecourse Lane.

A total of £1.8m has been spent upgrading the building, which has a second courtroom, and a new cell and waiting area.

The project also heralded the demise of the court in Richmond, a decision condemned by the North Yorkshire County Council as recently as Tuesday.

Prince Andrew's schedule then took him to Leeming Bar, where he met children from Aiskew and Leeming Bar Primary School, who have been studying the Wensleydale Railway.

He travelled on a train along the line to the newly restored station at Leyburn, where he unveiled a plaque to commemorate his visit.

The ceremony came less than a year since the line was relaunched.

"We see this not as a day for us but as a tribute to all those who have played a part in reopening the Wensleydale Railway," said chief executive Scott Handley.