THE Duke of York will be in the region later this week to attend a thanksgiving service for the life of the Queen Mother.

Prince Andrew will be at York Minster on Thursday for the service, which will begin at 3.15pm.

The service will also be attended by the four Lord Lieutenants of North Yorkshire, or their representatives, led by North Yorkshire's Lord Crathorne.

In addition to the local civic party, official representatives from Leeds, Bradford, Ripon, Sheffield and Wakefield will be there.

The Queen Mother was patron of the Friends of York Minster, which she visited a number of times during her long life.

The service will be conducted by the Dean of York, the Very Reverend Raymond Furnell, and the address will be given by the Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope.

The Minster will close to the public at noon on the day to allow final arrangements to be made and will reopen for admission to the service at 1.30pm.

Entry to the general public will be via the west end and everyone is asked to be seated by 2.45pm.

If the Minster is full to capacity, additional facilities will be available in neighbouring St Michael-le-Belfry Church and Dean's Park.

Between 2pm and 4.30pm the whole length of Duncombe Place, Deangate and Minster Yard will be closed to traffic, as well as part of High Petergate.