Prince Charles is joining the campaign to save one of King's Lynn's historic buildings.

The Prince, who is president of the Prince's Regeneration Trust, will visit Hanse House, in St Margaret's Place, in the town's medieval quarter, on January 25.

After touring the building, which includes a former Hanseatic warehouse dating from 1475, Prince Charles will attend a meeting where its future will be discussed.

Civic society campaigners claim the Grade One listed building, formerly known as St Margaret's House, is suffering from years of neglect.

Norfolk County Council has owned the building since 1971. Now the council is looking to relocate the registry office, which the building houses, and sell it off, saying it has become expensive to maintain.

'It's a property we're really, really concerned about,' one campaigner said tonight.

'It's another building that could be left empty, unloved and uncared for.'

A letter about to be sent to King's Lynn Civic Society supporters adds: 'So even if it sold immediately and the new owner instantly began work, this means that the building would not be touched for months.

'In our view this is all very far from satisfactory. This is a Grade 1 listed building and as such needs not only to be maintained in good repair, but also to be occupied and used.'

Norfolk County Council said it was currently relocating the registry office from the building.

Prince Charles is said to have become concerned about the Hanse House after hearing that the building was falling into disrepair.