GATESHEAD residents have been offered the chance of being part of the celebrations at the royal opening of the Millennium Bridge.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will open the award-winning bridge on Tuesday, May 7, and Gateshead Council wants residents who also have something special to celebrate this year, to be part of the event.

Individuals, families and community groups are being invited to write to council's magazine by Friday, April 19, with the reasons why they should be invited to join in the celebrations being held on Baltic Square.

Gateshead Council News, delivered to homes and businesses across the borough, also contains a guide to May's local elections, which are being held this year entirely by post.