THE Prince of Wales is to help a town celebrate 850 years of market trading.

Prince Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, will visit Richmond, in North Yorkshire, during two weeks of events marking the granting of the town's first royal charter in 1155.

During their visit, on Wednesday, September 14, the couple will be guests of honour at the premiere of a community play performed by youth theatre members at the town's Georgian Theatre Royal.

"We are absolutely delighted to be welcoming the Prince and Duchess to Richmond as part of our market charter celebrations," said Richmond mayor Councillor Stuart Parsons.

"The last official Royal visit to the town took place in 1902, so it is a very rare and special honour.

"We have much to be proud of here in Richmond and it will be a great privilege to share some of our past and present achievements, and our future aspirations, with the royal couple."

Children will line the route as the Royal visitors arrive.

The Prince and Duchess will attend a special farmers market. They will visit the old station building and hear plans to transform the Grade II listed property into a community and leisure centre.

The royal party is also due to meet young people helped by The Prince's Trust.

Richmond received the first charter in 1155, during the reign of King Henry II, giving the town permission to hold a market. Over the centuries, several more charters have been granted bestowing new powers on the town.

Events for the 850th charter celebrations will take place in the next two weeks.

The celebrations will culminate with a heritage weekend involving the town's historic sites on Saturday and Sunday, September 17 and 18.