Nick Parry BBC Wales News Online

Prince Charles visited Myddfai, near his new Welsh estate, in April

At the request of Ammanford's talking newspaper for the blind he has recorded a message for its 150 subscribers.

In the bilingual greeting he talks of his love for the area, where be bought an estate earlier this year.

Newspaper volunteers said it was "absolutely wonderful" he had taken the time and listeners would be "chuffed".

In his message Prince Charles pays tribute to the volunteers who run the service and sends listeners his "warmest good wishes" for Christmas.

I have to say how delighted I am finally to have an excuse to visit this beautiful part of Wales more often Prince Charles

He then goes on to talk about his property, Llwynywormwood, a former coach house set in the grounds of a ruined mansion near Myddfai.

"During my last visit to Carmarthenshire earlier this year I was enormously touched by the kind and friendly nature of those whom I met and the warm welcome I received," he says.

"I have to say how delighted I am finally to have an excuse to visit this beautiful part of Wales more often.

"The coming year will, I hope, bring some exciting opportunities to explore the area and get to know our kind neighbours.

"I will be looking forward particularly to learning more about the various challenges people face this part of the world."

Ena Harding, secretary of the newspaper, said she was inspired to write to the prince after his visit in April when he and the Duchess of Cornwall attended a tea party and met their neighbours.

My only problem is who do I ask next year? Ena Harding

"As I'm responsible for reading the newspaper I thought it was a shame there were so many of his neighbours who could see him and yet I had quite a few listeners who would never have that pleasure," she said.

"It's absolutely wonderful - my only problem is who do I ask next year? - it's going to be quite difficult because I have raised the expectation of my listeners.

"He is a very kind person and perhaps no one had asked him before from a talking newspaper - I hope I have not opened the flood gates now."

Each month listeners are sent a 60 minute casette or CD of news read by volunteers in English and Welsh from the Amman Valley area and the charity has just started making its service available as a podcast.

Mrs Harding said Welsh-speaking colleagues had also been very impressed with the prince's Welsh.