THE organisers of the Bedale 750 celebrations have scored a major coup with confirmation that the Duke of York is to be guest of honour at a medieval market on Tuesday, May 29.

The duke will spend about an hour in the afternoon visiting market attractions which are planned to include jousting and falconry displays, medieval music, dance and street theatre and living history.

He will be returning to an area which he got to know well in 1980 when, during basic training to be a Royal Navy helicopter pilot, he flew Bulldog aircraft from RAF Leeming. The Queen Mother visited the station while he was based there.

Coun John Weighell, mayor of Bedale and chairman of Bedale 750, said much of the work in arranging the duke's visit had been done by Mr Terry Noyes, co-ordinator of the medieval market.

Coun Weighell said: "We first approached the lord lieutenant of the county two years ago and had known that a visit by the duke was possible for the last three or four months, but final confirmation only came earlier this week.

"We were worried that it might not go ahead because of the foot and mouth crisis, but now that it is confirmed it is a wonderful boost for Bedale 750 and gives the celebrations a real status.

"Final details have to be confirmed, but the duke will not just be in and out of Bedale. He will spend about an hour in the town in early to mid afternoon and we hope he will be looking at both Bedale Hall and the market.

"There have been royal visitors previously to the area for specific things but I don't think there have been any to the town and community as a whole for a very long time."

l The Darlington & Stockton Times is a principal sponsor of the festival.