THE Prince of Wales is likely to do a royal walkabout in Marlborough High Street as part of the 800th anniversary celebrations in the town next June.

The visit by Prince Charles, which has not been officially confirmed yet, would be the highlight of a week of festivities organised by the town's 2004 committee, which produced its draft programme this week.

The committee wrote to the Prince of Wales's office a year ago, and they were unofficially informed that June 18 is in the Prince's diary. He is likely to visit Marlborough College and Corsham on the same day.

The provisional programme for the day is that he arrives by car at the Castle and Ball Hotel, the town limit when the charter was given to it in 1204, and walk from there to the town hall where he will see a re-enactment of the granting of the charter by King John.

Deputy mayor Graham Francis, who is chairman of the 2004 committee, said: "We are hoping he will also be able to visit the Merchant's House to see what has been done there to return it to its 17th century finery."

The prince will also be invited to plant a tree in St Mary's churchyard to commemorate the anniversary.

The festivities begin on June 10 with a children's show at the town hall, featuring magicians Razamatazz.

On June 11 and 12, the High Street will be turned into a time line, with a hiring fair re-enacted at the end closest to St Peter's Church. Half way up it will change to a Victorian funfair with steam driven rides and closer to the town hall it will turn into a modern fair.

On June 17 and 18, the town play will be performed, depicting significant events from the town's history. It will be followed by Beating Retreat and Evening Hymn from the town hall steps by a military band, a contingent from HMS Marlborough and local choirs.

On June 19, the English Civil War Society will re-enact the Battle of Marlborough and the capture of the town by Royalists in 1642.