PREPARATIONS for the Queen's first visit to Darlington in 35 years are being finalised.
Her Royal Highness will come to the town on Wednesday, May 8, and will conduct a walkabout in the market square as part of the golden jubilee celebrations.
The last time she visited the town was in 1967 when she was given a tour of the town hall with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Her whistle-stop tour will start at 3.40pm when she arrives at the market square.
She will then be taken to the town hall where she will sign a commemorative golden jubilee book and a certificate marking her visit.
The highlight of her visit will be a performance by the Tees Valley Dance Initiative in the market square.
Seventy young people will take part in the short open-air performance.
The Queen will then walk around the market square meeting people before unveiling a commemorative stone just after 4pm.
Before the Queen leaves Darlington she will be presented with a bouquet by a pupil from one of the town's schools.
Darlington Borough Council leader John Williams will meet the Queen. He said: "We are very honoured that she has chosen to include the town in her tour of the country."
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