PRINCE Charles' visit to Marlborough for the town's 800th birthday celebrations will include a visit to Marlborough College, where his niece Eugenie is a pupil.

But there are no plans for the prince to meet the royal pupil, who is in her first year at the public school, when he unveils a plaque at the spot in the college grounds where it is believed there stood a hunting lodge used by King John when he gave the town it's royal charters in 1204.

Clarence House officially confirmed this week that the prince will be attending the charter celebrations.

From the public school, where it's believed Prince Charles will land by helicopter, he will walk the length of the High Street.

On the way, said a palace spokeswoman, the prince will have an opportunity to take in the town's historic buildings while meeting local people who are expected to line the route.

On his way along the street, the royal guest, who is noted for his interest in architecture, will examine one of the High Street's oldest building. He is expected to stop off at the Merchant's House, the home of 17th century silk merchant Thomas Bayly, which is currently undergoing restoration.

The chairman of the Merchant's House Trust, Sir John Sykes, will be showing Prince Charles some of the completed restoration work on the house that was re-built following the Great Fire of Marlborough in 1653.

Children from local schools will be gathering on both sides of the town hall in the hopes of the royal visitor having a word with them before he arrives at the building which has just undergone a £250,000 facelift.

At the town hall, Prince Charles will be greeted by one of Marlborough's leading personalities, town crier Alf Johnson. He will then hear a short extract from the royal charter of 1204 that features in a town play, Wheels of Time, written for the anniversary by local historian David Sherratt.

Inside the hall the prince will unveil a plaque commemorating his visit and the town's 800th anniversary before proceeding upstairs to a reception.

Mayor Graham Francis, who will accompany the prince on his High Street walkabout, suggested that those lining the route should make name banners so the prince would know who they were.