13215/1PRINCE Charles gave the royal seal of approval to the appeal launched by St John's Church in Devizes by attending a fundraising concert.

St John's, the parish church of Devizes, needs to raise £750,000 to carry out urgent repairs to its lighting and heating systems as well as repairing masonry on the outside of the 12th century building.

The Prince, as patron of Music in Country Churches, attended St John's on Saturday evening for a classical concert featuring the English Chamber Orchestra and organised by Music in Country Churches.

Young Russian violinist Alina Ibragimova, who is studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, was drafted in as a late replacement as the scheduled solo violinist Janine Jansen had to pull out due to illness.

The Prince arrived by car escorted only by his private secretary and royal protection officers. The Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sir Maurice Johnston, accompanied the Prince into St John's.

The Prince was sitting in the front row of a packed church. More than 350 people had bought tickets ranging from £5 to £30.

Canon John Record, the vicar of St John's, said: "The Prince of Wales was very charming and very interested in the building and what we are trying to do. He thought St John's was extremely beautiful.

"He asked to be kept posted with what's happening with the appeal and wished us good luck with it. He was particularly impressed by the Russian violinist who was given less than 24 hours notice.

"She was delightful and she played with enormous skill and panache. She played a concerto by Mendelssohn. The last time she had played it was two years previously."

The audience included members of Music in Country Churches who travelled from as far away as Dorset, Somerset and East Anglia.

"The organisers, members of the audience and the performers all said how lovely St John's was. The musicians said they would love to come back and play again," said Canon Record.

During the interval the Prince walked to Devizes Town Hall for a reception hosted by Devizes Mayor Margaret Taylor. On his way there and back to the church the Prince chatted to people, including drinkers at the nearby Lamb Inn who went outside to see him.

Music in Country Churches also held a concert on the Friday evening, again to a packed church. It featured The King's Consort, one of Europe's leading period orchestras.

The proceeds will not be known until later this year as Music in Country Churches will split the proceeds up from the Devizes concerts as well as others to be held in East Anglia. Canon Record believes the total that St John's will receive will be a good four figure sum.

The appeal has so far raised around £20,000 in less than two months.

Canon Record said: "Donations are coming in every week and we have parishioners doing things like holding plant stalls and doing their bit."