EXCITEMENT is reaching fever pitch as adults and children alike wait anxiously for the arrival of HRH the Prince of Wales to Uley.

Prince Charles will be officially opening the Uley Community Stores and Post Office later today and is also expected to unveil a plaque to mark the momentous occasion as well as meet some of the key figures in the shop’s resurrection.

As part of the midday visit, Uley Primary School and local playgroups are thought to be giving a presentation to the royal visitor and a few of the parishioners are hoping to present him with some mementos of his visit.

Last year, more than 300 Uley Villagers raised £51,000 by buying shares to keep their shop open, with the business reopening in July.

Local tradesmen refurbished the building, volunteers staff the shop and provide administrative support and the post office is run by two villagers in a paid job share.

As well as Uley Parish Council, Gloucestershire Rural Community Council and the Plunkett Foundation have all helped the shop become a true community-run hub for the village.

“We are all certainly getting very excited,” said Janet Wood, who handles publicity for the village shop.

“We haven’t had long to prepare but we are ready to show off the shop, that is the main thing.”

Read about the Prince’s visit as it happens via the Gazette's live article, with a full rundown of the event in Thursday’s paper.