PRINCE Charles and cast members from television's All Creatures Great and Small are among celebrities who have congratulated Swaledale Woollens on its 30th anniversary.

The business at Muker, which uses local yarns to create sweaters, socks and other items, marks the birthday with a party for its army of knitters on May 20.

An exhibition of wool and knitting is planned for the village hall on May 22 and 23, with music from Muker silver band.

Organisers hope to enlist a celebrity to cut the anniversary cake.

The company was set up in 1974 by retired bank manager David Morris and his wife, Grizel.

Its first big break came when the British Wool Marketing Board ordered 125 pairs of gloves for a major Arctic expedition led by Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

Prince Charles has a pair of gloves and two jumpers produced by the company and, when the then Archbishop of Canterbury visited North Yorkshire nine years ago, Swaledale Woollens was asked to provide a suitable gift.

Staff managed to find out Dr George Carey's measurements and a traditional cardigan was made to a local design and presented to the archbishop.

Mr and Mrs Morris retired in September 2002 and the business was taken over by Kenneth and Kathleen Hird, from Low Row.

Mrs Hird said the company would use the anniversary to encourage more people to knit, particularly youngsters.

Swaledale Woollens knitter Elle Stubbs visits Gunnerside school next week to teach the skill to pupils.

"We have got some wool and needles to give them and we hope we can inspire the children to take up what is a very relaxing hobby," said Mrs Hird.

The company had about 40 knitters but could do with more, she added. They must be sufficiently experienced to tackle some of the complicated traditional patterns of the Dales.

Swaledale yarn, more usually used to produce carpets, is used for garments, along with softer Wensleydale and Welsh wool.

"The new processes these days have made the Swaledale wool much softer and it is very hard-wearing and very warm," said Mrs Hird.

Foreign visitors continue to buy goods from the shop, although the number of Americans, who sometimes spent "a small fortune", had declined since foot-and-mouth, September 11 terrorism attacks, and the strong pound of 2001.

Among the anniversary greetings already received is a letter from Prince Charles, who said: "My delight in hearing of your success in this technologically zealous age knows no bounds.

"I really could not be more encouraged to discover that, after three decades, your garments are still knitted by hand, providing employment for local people at home.

"With such attention to detail and high standards of quality, it is little surprise that your markets are spread across the world.

"This comes with my heartfelt thanks and warmest good wishes to you and all who work for Swaledale Woollens for this important anniversary celebration."

Sir Leon Brittan, of Spennithorne, near Leyburn, who visits the shop, also sent congratulations. "It has been a remarkable achievement to keep the art of knitting alive in such a practical and useful way," he wrote.

Cast members from the Seventies BBC television series All Creatures Great and Small also sent messages. Christopher Timothy, who played vet James Herriot, wrote of his fond memories of the Dales.

Actress Diana Rigg sent a hand written note, which read: "Here's to the next 50 years."

Richmond MP William Hague also congratulated the company on its anniversary. "We should all take pride in this successful industry which uses a local product to such good effect," he said