SOPHIE, Countess of Wessex, the royal patron of Southampton-based charity, Wessex Heartbeat, will visit the city later this month.

She will tour the 115,000 ton, P&O Cruises' ship, Azura, in support of a charity event being held on board the vessel.

Established in 1992, Wessex Heartbeat is major regional charity and exists to support the work of the Wessex Cardiac Centre, one of the UK's leading heart treatment centres.

Since it foundation Wessex Heartbeat has raised more than £13m, which it has used to help ensure the best possible care is provided to more than 20,000 patients treated at the centre each year.

The countess is due to arrive at Southampton's Ocean Terminal, in the city's Eastern Docks, at 11.15am on Friday, July 22, when she will be met by Dame Mary Fagan, Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, together with the Mayor of Southampton, Terry Matthews.

Once on board Azura, the Countess will be greeted by the ship's master, Captain Keith Dowds, and given a conducted tour of the vessel's bridge, where she will meet members of the crew and representatives from the charity.