THE people of County Durham are to have a direct line to the Queen.

A new communication system has been put in place to allow people to contact Buckingham Palace directly about landmark birthdays and anniversaries.

In the past, the Lord Lieutenant had to be contacted at County Hall, in Durham, to arrange telegrams for 100th birthday celebrations.

Now people can fill in new forms, which can be obtained from the Anniversaries Office at Buckingham Palace, and returned directly to them.

Congratulatory messages are sent by the Queen for 100th birthdays, 105th and every year after that, and for 60th wedding anniversaries, 65 years, 70 years, and every year after that.

Application forms can be obtained by telephoning anniversaries officers at Buckingham Palace, on (0207) 5304832, or by writing to The Anniversaries Office, Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA.