PREPARATIONS were under way throughout the region yesterday for the Queen's visit next week.
The royal party's two-day visit will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations.
Bunting was being hung in Darlington's Market Square for the royal walkabout. And in Durham, baskets and containers of gold and yellow flowers were being prepared.
The finishing touches were being added to the memorial garden in Easington Colliery, east Durham - which commemorates the mining disaster of 1951 - in preparation for the Queen's visit, when she will meet the last three survivors of the disaster.
Boats have also been in formation on the River Tyne in preparation for the official opening by the Queen of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.
Children in Sunderland have been creating a collage to celebrate the city's industrial heritage, which will be viewed by the Queen next week.
As part of her visit, she will also officially open Durham's new £30m Gala Theatre.
She will visit Darlington, Durham, Newcastle, Sunderland, Gateshead, Seaham, Easington Colliery and Blackhall Rocks.
Prince Philip will visit Newcastle, Gateshead, Seaham, Peterlee, Durham and Stockton.
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