The Duke of Gloucester celebrated the North of England Civic Trust's 50th birthday in Maryport. 

The Duke is patron of the trust, which owns the town's Camp Farm. 

He visited the site and the ancient Roman fort which lies across the road from Maryport junior and infant schools, today.

He was shown the fort site by David Brieze, chairman of the Senhouse Trust, Tony Wilmott, the site director on three archaeological digs at the fort, Jane Laskey, the Senhouse Roman Museum manager and Graham Bell, director of the civic trust.

A former patron of the British Museum, the Duke appeared extremely interested in the collection of Roman military altars at the museum and said he knew of one of the collection in the British Museum.

He also expressed a desire to visit the museum but was prevented by time.

Professor Brieze said he issued an invitation for the Duke to return to visit the museum at a later date.

Mr Wilmott said the Duke appeared genuinely interested in the fort and the museum.

Camp Farm is a model Victorin farm on the site of the Roman fort and adjacent civilian settlement.

The trust acquired Camp Farm last year, and has been working to secure what the trust described as "an exciting and sustainable future for the Roman remains and the farm buildings."

Thanks to a grant from the Coastal Revival Fund and support from Allerdale council and Cumbria Community Foundation, the trust has been able to work with local residents, community organisations and schools to explore possibilities for the site that fit in with local needs and wishes, raising the profile of the site within Maryport and the profile of Roman Maryport within the wider context of West Cumbria and internationally. 

Following a look over the site, the Duke went to Maryport Junior School where he was met by excited children from both of the Camp Road schools.

He met community and council leaders and representatives over afternoon tea which was provided by the schools.