THE Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh started a day-long tour of the North-East by opening a new school today.

The Royal couple visited Washington School, Washington, Tyne and Wear, on a site which has been used for almost 100 years for education.

The Queen, wearing a light cerise jacket by designer Stewart Parvin with matching hat by Rachel Trevor-Morgan, watched as children baked cakes.

She then looked on as others took a computer technology class.

The Duke toured the 1,000-pupil school separately.

The couple then listened as the school choir sang a song which included the lyrics: "I can be anything I want with this hope to drive me onward, if I can just believe in me."

The school was designed in consultation with pupils, who even had a say in which firm provided their catering.

The Queen wore a gold brooch to match the buttons on her jacket.

Food technology teacher Iris Dolan said afterwards: "I wanted to enjoy it today and obviously the children have too."

The couple then left to continue their Royal duties in Newcastle.