THE Duke of Edinburgh's royal protection officer will visit Devizes next week to see if it is possible for the 82-year-old Prince Consort to take the reins of one of Wadworth's drays when he visits the town on May 4.

Prince Philip, who is an accomplished carriage driver, is due to visit the town to help celebrate the 30th anniversary of the reintroduction of horse-drawn drays to deliver Wadworth's ales around pubs in the town centre.

But he will not be allowed to mount the driving box of the dray unless the royal protection officer says that doing so involves no risk.

Jonathan Pollock, public relations manager at Wadworth's, said that no decision could be made until the officer has visited the brewery.

After the brewery visit Prince Philip will be taken by car to Church Walk. He will officially open the rebuilt Crammer Court sheltered homes.

The £5 million building which replaced sheltered accommodation built in the 1960s, will have 50 flats and communal areas, including a caf, dining room and hobbies room.