CIVIC leaders are preparing to roll out the red carpet ahead of a town's first Royal visit for more than 100 years.

Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, will be in Richmond, North Yorkshire, on Wednesday to help the town celebrate the 850th anniversary of its first market charter.

Their visit comes during a two-week programme of events that will culminate on Saturday and Sunday with a heritage weekend.

Their visit will begin with a welcome from children along Darlington Road as the couple make their way to Richmond from the Royal Train at Darlington railway station.

There will be a civic line-up at the Georgian Theatre Royal and a tour of the building, accompanied by Lady Crathorne, chairwoman of the theatre trust.

The couple will then take honorary seats in the Shakespeare box for the world premiere of a community play performed by members of the youth theatre.

A walkabout around the farmers' market will be followed by a visit to the town hall, where the couple will have a private lunch in the mayor's parlour and unveil a plaque commemorating their visit and the charter anniversary.

In the afternoon, they will visit Richmond railway station to hear about restoration plans from trustees of the station regeneration project.

The party will then meet representatives of the Prince's Trust North Yorkshire.

Town mayor Stuart Parsons said: "The farmers' market is going to be the biggest Richmond has ever seen, with about 30 stalls.

"A lot of farmers get the majority of their income from these markets, so we have tried to show the importance of them to the local agricultural economy. Also, Prince Charles is very interested in those issues.

"We are being spoiled rotten really because he is visiting the Georgian Theatre, a good old project that is performing wonderfully well; the traditions of the markets and then the station building, which is the next leading project for the town."

The last royal visit to Richmond took place in 1902.

The town received its 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.

* See The Northern Echo for report and pictures of the visit.

Planned itinery

10.25am: Welcome from children in Darlington Road.

10.30am: Arrive at the Georgian Theatre Royal.

12.15pm: Leave theatre for the market place.

12.20pm to 1.20pm: Tour of the farmers' market.

1.25pm: Private lunch at Richmond Town Hall.

2pm: Leave town hall for Richmond Station.

3.25pm: Leave Richmond Station.