THE Prince of Wales was planning to drop in at a Dales local today - to launch a nationwide scheme to save the country pub.

On a whistle-stop tour of the Dales, he was booked in for a pint at the Craven Heifer, Stainforth, which also boasts a post office, a shop and a community centre - exactly the model that the Prince supports in his new "Pub is the Hub" initiative.

As president of Business in the Community, Prince Charles has often expressed his alarm at the rash of closures of country pubs sweeping the country - estimated at six a week - a problem that we highlighted in A week in the country last month.

The Prince's visit to the Craven Heifer is just one of a packed diary of events, including meetings at Skipton Auction Mart and a tour of the famous, now partially restored folly at Settle.

And it was announced this morning that he will also be launching ROSE - Rural Opportunities for Self-Employment - based on the successful Dales project, itself launched by the Prince two years ago, which is helping more than 50 young people in the Dales set up their own businesses.

Now with backing from Yorkshire Forward and The Prince's Trust, and with other regional partners, the scheme will be available to 18-30 year olds in four other rural areas of Yorkshire and Humber - the East Yorkshire Coast; North Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire; North York Moors and Pennines; together with the whole of Craven and Richmondshire.

The aim is to create 150 new businesses over the next three years.