A weekly newspaper has been praised by Prince Charles at a special event to mark its 200th anniversary.

He spoke about the vital role the Carmarthen Journal plays in the lives of the people of West Wales at a ball and awards ceremony held for the anniversary.

In a video message during the event earlier this month, the Prince praised the newspaper for its long history stretching back to the Napoleonic wars.

He said: “The Journal has touched tens of thousands of families over the last 200 years and has been there to celebrate people’s lives — quite literally from the cradle to the grave.

“I am very aware of the vital role the Journal plays in keeping people aware of the goings on in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion.

“Arguably the most important stories it has covered are those that report on local life and the impact on the local community.”

The Prince also paid tribute to those who were given awards at the ball, which was held at Carmarthenshire’s Ffos Las racecourse.

They were presented to people who had worked with exceptional merit in the community, including former Wales rugby legend Gerald Davies – who also praised the newspaper.

He said: “If I can say about the Carmarthen Journal, it was a paper that was always in our house — known just as The Journal — it was left on the table in the hall and there was a kind of queue of neighbours who would sit in the armchair and read it.”

The evening raised more than £2,000 for charity Carmarthenshire Children’s Centre and Prince Charles also invited the award winners for tea at his home at Myddfai, near Llandovery.

Carmarthen Journal reporters and advertising staff celebrate the paper’s 200th anniversary.