THE John Gray Centre has been officially opened by HRH The Duke of Gloucester.

Prince Richard opened the building on Haddington’s Lodge Street on Tuesday afternoon after being given a tour of the multi-million-pound library and archives centre.

The building is home to archives and local history, a library, museum and archaeology.

He was joined at the John Gray Centre by members of staff from various council departments, as well as a number of councillors and MSP Iain Gray.

Prince Richard, who is currently 23rd in line to the throne, stopped off to speak to the centre’s Reminiscence group.

Members meet each Tuesday morning and talk about former sporting achievements; they have previously been visited by athletes such as bowler Willie Wood, Scottish rugby internationalists Jim and Finlay Calder and ex-professional footballer Joe Forte, who has run more than 20 marathons.

The Duke of Gloucester was shown into the building’s library before receiving a tour of the exhibition upstairs and then into the archives, before unveiling a plaque which reads: “John Gray Centre, opened by HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO 9th September 2014.” Ahead of unveiling the plaque, he described it as “a great pleasure” to visit Haddington and said: “The John Gray Centre gives an opportunity to look back at what has been achieved. You have a building that is clearly here to stay and should be a source of pride to all those who pass it.” Records manager Alex Fitzgerald showed the member of the Royal Family around the building, which first opened its doors in March 2012.

He said: “It is fantastic we have had the opportunity to raise the profile of the building with His Royal Highness coming for the official opening.” Previously, the town’s library was located on nearby Newton Port.

Mr Fitzgerald said that, since the move, members of the public had “spoken highly” of the new facility, which also has a permanent home for archives.

He added: “The facilities here are significantly improved on previously.

“There is a space for the archives now and we have a nice central location in the town.”