THIS year's Great Yorkshire Show is to due to be visited by the Duke of York.

Prince Andrew will visit the region's leading agricultural event on Wednesday, July 10, and will spend about three hours looking around, meeting exhibitors, visitors, and organisers.

Honorary show director Christopher Hall said: "We are absolutely delighted that His Royal Highness is able to come to Harrogate, the heart of his county.

"His visit could not be more appropriate and will give everyone a real boost. We are very much looking forward to showing him what is one of the best agricultural events in the country."

It is anticipated that the Duke, pictured, will look around the livestock, visit the country pursuits area and call in to the show's new food hall.

He is also expected to visit the new Great Yorkshire Cheese and Dairy Show and walk around the forestry area where a bid to break the world pole climbing record is to be staged.

A visit to the main ring will conclude his programme.

The Duke was last at the show in 1990.

AND a special role to play at hospice...

THE Duke of York will officially open a new in-patient annexe at a hospice in his adopted city next month.

Prince Andrew will be the special guest at St Leonard's Hospice, in York, on Wednesday, July 10.

The hospice, in Tadcaster Road, completed its Millennium Project this spring after a successful two-and-a-half-year £2m fundraising campaign.

The annexe has beds for 20 patients, mostly in single rooms which have en-suite facilities.

The original buildings, which were opened in 1985, have also been enlarged and transformed to create a new day-care centre, outpatient clinics, family accommodation and therapy areas.

Chief executive Steven Harker said: "We are thrilled that the Duke of York has accepted our invitation to visit these splendid new buildings that everyone has worked so hard to provide for our patients.

"The annexe and the completed redevelopment is the most significant step forward for hospice care in the area since we opened.

"The official opening by the Duke will be a fitting culmination of many years of planning and fundraising."

The Duke will spend a short time at the hospice, meeting patients, families and staff and some of those who have been involved in the fundraising for the appeal.