THE Prince of Wales enjoyed a pint of beer and a malt whisky yesterday as he joked with locals in a Yorkshire Dales pub.

Charles was visiting the Craven Heifer Hotel in Stainforth, near Settle, to promote an initiative to help village inns survive by taking on other services.

Debbie and Michael Prior's business was chosen as the launch for the Pub Is The Hub guide by the Countryside Agency as they have developed the inn as a centre for the community's needs, including a shop and Post Office.

The Craven Heifer, and the Diamond Inn, Butterknowle, County Durham, are among the case studies featured in the guide.

Later, the Prince met a group of farmers and rural business representatives who have been hit by the foot-and-mouth crisis at Knayton, near Thirsk.

A gem of village life - Page 8