Buckingham Palace announced yesterday that HM the Queen is to visit the town on 16 or 17 May 2012 as part of her regional tours to mark the Diamond Jubilee.

Warrington Borough Council reacted with delight to the news.

Cllr Terry O’Neill, leader of the council said: “We are thrilled that Warrington has been selected as one of the destinations for HM The Queen to visit during her Diamond Jubilee year. We have a strong tradition as a town of putting on a wonderful display for our VIP visitors and I’m sure that we will pull out all the stops to ensure that Her Majesty receives the very warmest welcome in 2012.

"It is a real honour that we will be able to showcase some of the things that make Warrington great, and to do that as part of the Jubilee celebrations.”