THE PRINCE of Wales has expressed his delight at the saving of a Ryedale pub.

The Prince's best wishes to all involved in the campaign to keep The Grapes, in Great Habton, were expressed in a letter from his assistant private secretary to Paul Andrews, one of the village residents who led the fight to retain the pub.

The Grapes lay empty for 11 months last year after the previous owner wanted to sell it as a house. Villagers mounted a campaign to save their local watering hole and Ryedale district councillors decided that it must be sold as a pub. It was eventually bought by pub company Marpletime Leisure and it reopened in December last year.

Mr Andrews wrote to the Prince of Wales to invite him to the pub after the Prince led a drive to save rural pubs.

The reply from the Prince's assistant private secretary Elizabeth Buchanan read: "His Royal Highness was delighted to hear of your success in saving The Grapes from closure, particularly as it plays such an important part in your local community.

"Whilst His Royal Highness does not currently have any plans to be in your area, we would like, if we may, to bear your kind invitation in mind when we are planning His Royal Highness's diary for the future.

"Should an opportunity present itself for His Royal Highness to pay a visit, we will certainly get back in touch.

"His Royal Highness asked me to thank you for writing as you did, and to send his very best wishes to everyone involved in saving The Grapes."

Updated: 11:55 Thursday, February 14, 2002