TURF Moor could be set for a visit from royalty after Prince Charles told a club director he hopes to attend a match in the future.

The Prince of Wales told John Sullivan when they met at a private reception recently that he was keeping an eye on the Claret’s progress and avidly follows Burnley’s results.

Mr Sullivan said that the Prince told him he was following the club’s matches with interest and passed on his congratulations to the team and fans for their successes in making the Premier League.

He said that the club’s Community Sports Trust was also given the royal seal of approval.

Mr Sullivan said: “The Prince was delighted at the progress made by the club and has expressed a desire to visit us and see the good work we do in the community for himself, should his diary allow.”

Clarence House said any conversations between the club and the Prince were private but did say that Prince Charles’s connections with the town were well known.

Earlier this year he branded the town his charity’s “number one priority” and a “remarkable town”.

His charity The Prince’s Trust has an office in the town and aims to boost regeneration by helping and investing in young people.

Prince Charles’s interest in Burnley stems from a visit in 2005, when he saw first-hand the work being done to regenerate the town.

It was followed by a meeting at Clarence House in December when he quizzed Burnley Council bosses as well as business and charity leaders about progress and possible projects to boost the borough.

Then in February he saw Prince’s Trust projects in Burnley during a visit and was also given a tour of the Weaver's Triangle regeneration site, which he has taken a great interest in.

Coun Julie Cooper, Labour leader on Burnley Council and a Turf Moor season ticket holder, said: “It would be fantastic if he made a game. I hope he would sit near me.

“The town is already on his radar and he has done a lot of work for us.

"It is great to have someone so high profile championing your cause and supporting the town.

“He seems a very genuine man and has shown a real passionate interest in Burnley which will hopefully continue.”

Coun Gordon Birtwistle, leader of Burnley Council, said Prince Charles “had been a great friend to Burnley”.

“We need all the help we can get to deliver the regeneration of the borough and the Prince has been a great friend to Burnley.

“We were very grateful for him taking time out of his busy diary to visit us and would look forward to any future visits.”

Steve Rumbelow, chief executive of Burnley Council, said: “Burnley Council and other agencies have been working closely with The Prince's charities and we are all very much looking forward to continuing what is turning into a very fruitful relationship.”