THE region of Princes Town celebrated 146 years of existence on Tuesday, honouring 16 people who have contributed significantly to the area's development, during a small interfaith service at the St Stephen's Anglican Church.

In the past, the annual 'Princes Town Day' to commemorate the 1880 visit of UK Princes George and Albert that gave the town its name, has been celebrated more publicly, with a parade through its streets. But this year, regional corporation chairman Gowrie Roopnarine said the decision was made to host the public service at the church, on the grounds where both princes had planted a poui tree during their visit.

During the event, to which members of the public were invited, he said men and women who had made a mark on the southern community were honoured. Among them was Mohan Persad, founder of Persad's 'D' Food King Group, whom he said currently employs 500 people within the Princes Town region alone.