MORE than 700 people have applied for tickets to see the Queen on her jubilee visit to Sunderland.

But with the deadline for applications looming, Sunderland City Council is urging those who still require them to get in touch.

Within days of the application forms becoming available, the council was inundated with requests for tickets to attend the visit to Mowbray Park on May 7.

The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, will go on a royal walkabout there after officially opening Sunderland's new museum and Winter Gardens.

Sunderland is the first stop on the Queen's Golden Jubilee tour of the North-East, and she and the Duke of Edinburgh are known to be keen to meet as many local people as possible.

She is due to arrive at the museum and Winter Gardens at 10.20am, and ticket-holders will need to be in the park some time before then.

Application forms are still available from the museum and Winter Gardens, Sunderland Civic Centre, libraries, the council's area offices, the tourist information centre, and leisure centres, but must be received by Friday.

Each applicant can request up to two tickets, and successful applicants will be randomly selected.

Entertainment, refreshments and toilets will be provided, and marquees will be set up in the park.

Completed forms should be returned to the marketing team at Sunderland Civic Centre.