THE Exmoor Pony Centre will welcome its first royal visitor when Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall makes a visit next Thursday as patron of the Moorland Mousie Trust.

The Duchess, who is known to have read the stories as a child about the life of an Exmoor pony from which the trust takes its name, had been due to tour the centre near Dulverton last September.

But the visit was postponed to allow her and her husband Prince Charles to meet flood victims in Northumberland.

The rescheduled tour will give the Duchess the chance to meet some of the volunteers who help with the many aspects of the charity's work, including 'fosterers' and those who care for the ponies at the centre.

A keen equestrian, she will also meet a number of the four-legged residents, including a pony called One-eyed Winston.

The trust is dedicated to the promotion and conservation of the rare breed ponies and the centre is its focal point, providing a home to unwanted wild foals which come off the moor in the autumn.

The Duchess will be given a demonstration of the techniques used to handle the colts, which have been derived from 'intelligent horsemanship' practices and sculpted specifically for handling young frightened ponies.

She will also be shown a nearby 1920s' music room, a disused theatre built by eccentric Frank Green who owned the Exmoor pony herd that roamed on Winsford Hill.

Plans are in the pipeline to convert it for educational use and create a visitor information centre.

During her visit, the Duchess will be introduced to youngsters from the Prince's Trust who have been creating a path to the music room.

Val Sherwin, chief executive of the Moorland Mousie Trust and one of its founders, said: "We are very proud to have a Royal patron and honoured that her Royal Highness is coming to see us.

"We hope that it will raise the profile of the charity and Exmoor in general."