The Duke of York is to become patron of a York-based charity aimed at improving the quality of life for people in the region.

The Duke of York during his visit to York's Bell farm Estate in 1996. He has now agreed to become patron of the York-based St William's Foundation

Prince Andrew has already given valuable backing to the St William's Foundation by instigating the Duke of York's Community Initiative, which recognises and encourages community spirit and aims to breath new life into the more depressed areas of Yorkshire.

He also showed his commitment to the region when he visited York's Bell Farm Estate, after its £6.5m redevelopment in 1996.

And most recently he brought some sunshine to the people of Malton, Norton and Stamford Bridge, when he visited the stricken areas after the serious floods in March.

His new post as patron takes effect immediately and will see him giving his backing to a range of initiatives from the Action Environment project pushing sustainability and economic regeneration, to Northwords, a project spearheading radical debate about social issues into the new Millennium.

Kevin Bond, the foundation's chairman who is also chief executive of Yorkshire Water, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to receive this royal seal of approval for the important and valuable work of the foundation.

"It will certainly help support the development of the activities being undertaken by the foundation."

The main issues Northwords will be looking at over the coming year will be regenerating the North of England, making regionalism work, and examining how individuals and communities are served by their health services.

A spokesman for the foundation, which has been in existence for 15 years, said: "The Duke of York's active commitment to the work of his community initiative has played a crucial role in its successful development.

"The foundation is highly appreciative of the further commitment he has made in becoming the patron of the foundation as a whole and looks forward to enjoying this continued support as the work of the foundation expands and develops."

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