On Wednesday, May 8, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will be welcomed to Seaham by schoolchildren and visit a memorial garden commemorating the Easington Colliery mining disaster of 1951.

After meeting 34 Easington couples who are celebrating their golden wedding anniversaries, they will learn about east Durham's Turning the Tide coastal improvement project.

They will be greeted by Sir Peter Ustinov, chancellor of Durham University, at Durham Castle, meet local people, and the Queen will open Durham's Millennium City development.

Her majesty will unveil a commemorative stone in Darlington Market Square and go on a walkabout, while Prince Philip visits the Stockton campus of Durham University.

Councillor Isobel Hartley, the mayor of Darlington, said she was looking forward to welcoming the Queen to the town after an absence of more than 30 years.

The Queen will arrive at Darlington Market Square at 3.40pm. She will be greeted by the Mayor, Lilian Elliott, and Councillors.

Her Majesty will then watch a dance performance in celebration of her visit before walking around the perimeter of the Market Square to greet visitors.