The Prince of Wales paid tribute to a weekly newspaper he read during his student days after its marked its 150th anniversary.

Managers and staff of the Cambrian News were joined by two former editors and the founder’s great-granddaughter at a lunch to celebate the milestone.

In a message read out by the paper’s owner, Sir Ray Tindle, the Prince said: “For any newspaper to reach 150 years of age is a remarkable achievement and I am greatly heartened to hear that the paper continues to flourish in these rather difficult times.

“Needless to say, I have fond memories of this famous Welsh weekly newspaper from my time at Aberystwyth University in 1969.”

Sir Ray and Cambrian News managing editor Beverly Thomas also unveiled a plaque commemorating the anniversary of Wales’ biggest-selling weekly newspaper.

Said Sir Ray: “Please allow us in all modesty to mention that we are older than the Daily Express, the Daily Mail, the Daily Mirror, the Financial Times, the Independent, the Sun and the Western Mail.”

Among the guests at the lunch was Lord Elystan Morgan, whose father was Welsh editor of the Cambrian News during the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s.

Even the first-ever editor of the Cambrian News, Sir John Gibson, was represented, by his great-granddaughter Eiluned Jones, who lives in the Aberystwyth area.

Ex-members of staff in attendance included two former editors, Roy Hancock and Sara Price, and reporters from the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.

Freelance correspondents and photographers were also present, including writer Meirion Ellis of Blaenau Ffestiniog who has been submitting village news for an amazing 45 years.

The lunch was the latest in a series of events held by the Cambrian News to celebrate its anniversary.

The newspaper’s staff released 150 biodegradable lanterns off a cliff-top in Aberystwyth at the end of February to kick-start the celebrations and have so far raised £4,000 for charity during the year.