THE Malvern-based English Symphony Orchestra was graced with royal presence at its concert in Tetbury, Glouc-estershire, on Saturday.

Prince Charles, accompanied by Camilla Parker-Bowles, was among the audience at the orchestra's performance of Handel's Messiah in the parish church.

The Prince was introduced to William Boughton, the orchestra's founder and conductor, the concert's featured soloists and ESO sponsors during the evening.

An orchestra spokesman said: "It was a great honour and very exciting to have the prince attending the concert. It was a great evening and a brilliant performance."

Since Saturday, the ESO has performed the Messiah three more times - at Cirencester, Tewkesbury and Pershore - and it is playing the famous oratorio at Malvern Theatres tomorrow (Saturday).