THE few sightseers who came to observe the Boxing Day meet of the Ledbury Hunt at British Camp a quarter of a century ago saw a rare visitor.

Supporters got the the chance to see one of the country's best-known followers of the sport, Prince Charles, when he join the event at its traditional meet.

After the meet, which was not very successful, the heir to the throne visited the home of the hunt's Joint Master, Mr James B Daly, at Evendine House, Colwall.

He dined at the house before leaving for Windsor.

"Mr Daly is stepbrother of Davina Sheffield, with whom the Prince's name has been linked romantically, but it was not thought that Davina was present," explained the Gazette.

"It was stated that the prince was accompanied only by the Crown Equerry Colonel Miller, and made the visit as part of a series to hunts throughout the county.

"But the royal hunt, like most of the day's sport, had to be abandoned because of the hard ground.

"The hunt set out, and an attempt was made to draw the bushes around Castlemorton Common, but they had to give up after about half an hour because the ground proved to be even worse than was thought.

"About 30 riders joined the hunt and there were not many spectators at the meet - the Royal visit had been kept very secret until the last moment.

"Hunt secretary Mr Dick Daniell said the Prince was quite charming, chatting to huntsman Mr Nimrod Champion about the hounds as they returned from their disappointing start."