KING Charles III is no stranger to Somerset, having visited the county on a number of occasions over the years.

As the Prince of Wales he came to the county more than 30 times between 1973 and 2019.

He showed his caring side during a fact finding mission to the Somerset Levels during the devastating floods of February 2014.

He toured the worst hit areas and even took a boat to reach the village of Muchelney, which had been cut off by rising water levels.

The Royal spoke to people affected by the floods and was heard to say: "I must do something."

He returned five months later to check on how the community had fought back, having donated £50,000 from the Prince's Countryside Fund to help get people back on their feet.

More recently he was in Simonsbath in 2019 to celebrate Exmoor's status as a National Park, 50 years after that organisation was established.

A decade earlier, in line with his love of the countryside, he had attended the Bath and West Show.

With his main residence over the border in Gloucestershire, the King has always shown a keen interest in neighbouring Somerset.

Among his visits over the years are dates at Wells, Hinkley Point, Westlands in Yeovil, Frome, Hestercombe to view the main house and gardens, Avon and Somerset Police HQ in Portishead, Sheppy's Cider, in Bradford-on-Tone and Glastonbury Abbey.

Many people in Somerset county will be hoping it won't be long before King Charles returns to a county that obviously holds a place in his heart.