Prince Charles will visit Cumbria later this month.

HRH The Prince of Wales has been confirmed as the guest of honour at a community event to mark the Lake District's new status as a World Heritage Site.

The prince is due to unveil an official UNESCO plaque in Crow Park, Keswick on March 26.

The event will celebrate the Lake District's unique cultural landscape and feature a selection of musical performances in conjunction with Theatre by the Lake.

It is open to the public and anyone wanting to attend should arrive at the park's Lake Road entrance by 10am.

Lord Clark of Windermere, who led the Lake District's bid for World Heritage Site status, encouraged people to attend.

He said: "I am looking forward to welcoming His Royal Highness to the UNESCO English Lake District World Heritage Site to help us mark this special occasion, and hope people will join us in the celebration. This plaque will give local people and visitors a place to come and appreciate not just the spectacular landscape, but also the rich, cultural history of the Lake District as a World Heritage Site.”

UNESCO asks all World Heritage Sites to celebrate their status by erecting an official plaque.

Crow Park, overlooking Derwentwater, was chosen from a selection of possible sites across the Lake District to host the plaque.

Mike Innerdale, National Trust regional director of operations, said: "We’re delighted to welcome and host the official UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription plaque on National Trust land at Crow Park on behalf of the Lake District World Heritage Partnership.

"Crow Park could not be a better choice. It’s played a crucial role within the Lake District’s World Heritage story; bearing witness to the way that people have shaped the landscape of the Lakes. It’s played a part in the discovery of beautiful landscapes, and as the location of a pivotal moment that shaped how we value and conserve landscapes. We’re honoured to have our roots and way of conserving landscapes recognised as globally significant."

Lake District National Park Authority chief executive Richard Leafe said the benefits of this new status were already being seen across the national park.

He said: "Since last summer, we have seen some great examples of organisations, businesses and communities using World Heritage status to flourish and prosper.

"From inspirational cultural events to welcoming first-time visitors to the park, this global recognition has encouraged new opportunities, while continuing to be a much loved national park for everyone to enjoy."

The event has been made possible through funding from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development as part of the LEADER programme.