MIDDLE Eastern royalty gave their regal seal of approval to Weymouth and Portland after a whistle-stop tour.

The special guests from the Gulf country of Oman and their entourage of more than 20 people arrived at the resort on carnival day in top-class luxury aboard a steam train.

They took a specially-

chartered open-top bus to the harbourside restaurant Perry's, bypassing most of the annual festivities that drew thousands into the town.

After a two-hour lunch, they visited Portland Castle where they asked questions about Henry VIII and his six wives before returning to Weymouth Harbour by boat.

The five-hour trip was low-key and hosts were sworn to secrecy for security reasons.

The owner of Perry's, Alan Hodder, said the group of 30 people - most wearing traditional Middle Eastern dress covering their heads - filled the top floor of his restaurant.

He added: "They were very colourfully dressed. Just before they arrived here on the open-top bus there was a tremendous downpour and they had to scramble down. But they saw the funny side of it.

"Their English was patchy so there was a lot of hand signs and gesticulations to find out what they wanted. There was much hand-shaking and smiling as they left.

"The carnival queen and attendants were having lunch downstairs so it was an eventful day."

Mayor Lynne Herbert took time out of her hectic carnival schedule to welcome the guests during their meal, describing them as 'friendly'.

She added: "It's fantastic they chose to come to Weymouth and Portland."

Portland Castle guide Julie Shields was surprised to hear the visitors she showed around the historic attraction, accompanied by an Arabic interpreter, were of royal blood.

She said: "I didn't know they included royalty but they were very lovely and wore beautiful bright clothes. One of them had shoes with gold snakes and red jewelled eyes on them.

"They asked me interesting questions about Henry VIII and his wives."

Jacqui Gisborne, borough marketing and publicity officer, organised the tour but said it was a coincidence the party visited on carnival day.

She said: "Some VIPs from Oman came by steam train.

"They wanted to see the borough and loved it. They rang me afterwards to say a special thank you because they had the most lovely time."

Before leaving, the guests were handed borough council goody bags, including a photograph of Weymouth Harbour, chocolates and a key ring.