A charity is getting ready for a golden moment as it celebrates its 50th birthday and news that the Duchess of Cornwall is to extend her patronage.

Community First based in Devizes is celebrating its anniversary this month after originally being set up in 1965 as part of a post-war scheme to support rural communities.

A special birthday present came with the news that Camilla is to remain patron until 2020.

The Duchess became Patron of Youth Action Wiltshire in 2005 and when Youth Action Wiltshire merged with Community First in 2008 she agreed to become the overall patron of Community First.

In February she officially opened the charity’s new offices at Hopton Park, Devizes and also launched the 50th anniversary celebrations, which have run throughout 2015.

Lynn Gibson, who this year became the charity's chief executive, said: "We are delighted and grateful that the Duchess of Cornwall is able to commit her time to us, yet again, and that she remains such an active supporter of our organisation.

"In the 50th year since our formation we have engaged in a range of activities around the theme of 50, including a 50-mile charity walk around Wiltshire, a drive to recruit and train 50 new volunteers and launching a new fundraising pack for local charities and interest groups.

"This is a time of growth and change for Community First. We are constantly refining and streamlining our organisation in order to remain effective in making an important difference to people in Wiltshire and Swindon."

The organisation was formerly named the Community Council for Wiltshire (CCW) and began life with a staff of four. By 1975 CCW had grown to 10 staff and its work had grown to include help in establishing the Wiltshire Pre-School Learning Alliance, the Wiltshire Family History Association, the Wiltshire Natural History Forum and the Wiltshire Folk Life Society.

As a result of its expanding portfolio and to reflect closer working relationships with local communities and organisations across the county, in 1996 CCW decided to refocus its community services and to re-launch the organisation as Community First. Today it has a professional team of over 60 staff.