Prince to meet soldiers on Plain

Prince Charles will present long service and good conduct medals

The Prince of Wales is due to meet soldiers with the 3rd Battalion (Staffords) on exercise on Salisbury Plain next week.

Prince Charles, the Colonel-in-Chief of the Mercian Regiment, will present long service and good conduct medals to members of the battalion.

During Tuesday's visit to Copehill Down in Wiltshire, he will be briefed on the battalion's latest activities.

The prince will also hear about its move to a permanent base in Germany.

The 600 soldiers of 3 Mercian currently form the Land Warfare Centre Battle Group whose role is to help in the training of all Army units on Salisbury Plain Training Area.

They are due to move with their families to Fallingbostel in July 2009.