THE Duke of Kent is to visi Malvern library next week for a tour of its facilities.

HRH will visit the library in Graham Road on Thursday (December 10) at 11.30am and will meet staff and customers.

During the tour, the duke will visit the children's library and meet pupils from St Matthias CE Primary School, as well as taking time to talk with the children's author, Cat Weatherill.

He will also spend time with customers currently taking advantage of the library's creative writing class, the 'Silver Surfers' who have attended IT classes and the tutor and participants who have completed the Six Book Challenge.

The library, which was titled as one of the 'loveliest' in England by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council this year was extended and refurbished in 2006 at a cost of £105,000 funded by Worcestershire County Council, Malvern Hills District Council and Malvern Town Council.

Councillor Philip Gretton, reponsible for adult and social care at Worcestershire County Council, said: "It is an honour to have HRH The Duke of Kent visit Malvern library. The venue has a fantastic sense of community spirit and we are all proud that we have been chosen for a Royal visit."

Kathy Kirk, The County Council's head of Culture and Community Services, said: "We are truly delighted with the national reputation that Worcestershire libraries have earned and we are privileged to welcome HRH The Duke of Kent to Malvern Library. It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the facilities and services that we provide to the community and share them with him.”

See next week’s paper and malverngazette.co.uk for coverage of the visit.