PECKFORTON Castle welcomed a very special guest this week.

His Highness Prince Faisal bin Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, or Prince Faisal as he prefers to be known, was staying at the castle as part of his two-month tour of the UK.

Together with the Lee Westwood Golf School, based at the Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa, Tarporley, the prince is looking at ways to promote golf to the people of Saudi Arabia.

He said: “For such a huge country, golf is relatively under developed in Saudi.

“We have five courses at a maximum – one of them being on my own property!”

The Lee Westwood Golf School is also involved to ensure the Saudi people are given the opportunity to learn from one of the world’s leading golfers.

Peckforton Castle managing director Chris Naylor said: “Prince Faisal enjoyed his stay at the castle immensely.

“As a keen falcon keeper he enjoyed spending time with the Peckforton birds of prey – and was even brave enough to hold Elfie, the castle’s magnificent golden eagle.”

The Prince plans to return in the summer with other members of the Saudi royal family to show off this beautiful part of Cheshire.

Chris added: “We feel so privileged to be chosen as Prince Faisal’s venue of choice.

“Myself and the rest of the Peckforton Castle staff are really looking forward to hosting him and his family on his next trip and who knows maybe we’ll even be invited out to Saudi Arabia for a spot of golf!”

Allison Dickinson