It's full steam ahead for Craven's latest royal visit

The royal train will be travelling under steam on the Settle-Carlisle railway line and there are strong rumours that he will don overalls and take to the footplate, driving a steam train over Ribblehead Viaduct.

It is not known if the Prince will be accompanied by his future bride.

Details of the royal visit have yet to be released, but the Craven Herald has been informed that Prince Charles will be visiting Clapham on a separate engagement on Tuesday March 22.

Thought to be the first ever royal visit to the village, the event is due to start at Clapham Waterfall at 10am and the Prince will then walk through the village, stopping at various points of interest.

Villagers have been invited to watch the royal walkabout and it is expected a number of them will be introduced.

Before leaving, Prince Charles will visit the Clapham headquarters of the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust - of which he is patron - and launch its new £1 million Donate to the Dales Appeal.

He will then travel to Settle railway station to pick up the royal train.

The train is due to be pulled by a steam locomotive, the Duchess of Sutherland, regarded as one of the finest working steam locomotives and there is some suggestion that the Prince will be on the footplate as he takes it to Appleby and Kirkby Stephen.

The Prince, who has never travelled on the Settle to Carlisle line before, is to formally open the newly-restored Kirkby Stephen station.

As well as the Prince's first trip on the world famous Settle to Carlisle line, it will be only the second time in 40 years that the royal train has been headed by a steam locomotive.

Philip Johnston, chairman of the Friends of the Settle to Carlisle Railway, said: "This is the greatest event for the line since the lifting of the threat of closure."

Normal passenger services will continue to run on the line for the visit, but two goods trains have been rescheduled to allow the royal train passage.