RICHARD III is preparing to return to his local headquarters this weekend for a special event at Sheriff Hutton Castle.

The famous king and his wife, Anne, will be played by Wigginton teenagers Michael Oliver, 16, and Samantha Goodhall, 15, in a new play called The Ballad Of Sheriff Hutton Castle.

It has been written by Dorothy Mitchell, a speech and drama teacher, also from Wigginton.

It will be performed as part of a medieval fair organised by Sheriff Hutton villagers to be held on Saturday.

This year is the 600th anniversary of Sheriff Hutton Castle being built for Bertrum de Bulmer.

Dorothy's play traces the role the castle played under the reign of Richard III.

Richard founded the Council of the North in 1484 and Sheriff Hutton and Sandal Castles were where it met four times a year.

Richard's wife, Anne, also played an important part in local events as she took over a lot of the estate work when Richard was away fighting. The couple's home was at Middleham Castle.

The rules and constitution for the new council were written out in St Mary's Abbey, York, where the two young actors posed for our picture.

Both Michael and Samantha are students at Joseph Rowntree School and are also Dorothy's pupils.

Michael will open the medieval fair at 11am on Saturday, followed by a performance of the play.

There will be another performance in the afternoon.

Other events during the fair will include Maypole dancing and jousting.

PICTURE: PLAY FOR TODAY: Samantha Goodhall, 15, and Michael Oliver, 16, who are taking part in a play at Sheriff Hutton Castle

Picture: Frank Dwyer