THE Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will unveil a plaque at The Sage Gateshead on Friday after a walkabout in St Mary's Square, Gateshead Quays.

Anthony Sargent, general director of The Sage Gateshead, will welcome them to the music venue, designed by Norman Foster.

Mr Sargent said: "The royal couple have chosen to spend more than two hours with us seeing many different kinds of music and meeting our musicians.

"After our unforgettably-exciting public opening weekend last December, I couldn't imagine a more apt official opening than this visit."

As Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip enter the building, they will be met by 170 children from Gateshead schools performing 16th Century music from the Elizabethan period.

The royal party will also listen to music and songs performed by Northern Sinfonia and the Silver Singers before lunch in The Barbour Room.

After a show by young North-East musicians, the Queen will be invited by Councillor Mick Henry, leader of Gateshead Council, to the stage where she will unveil a commemorative plaque.

Coun Henry said: "We are delighted to welcome Her Majesty and His Royal Highness to officially mark the opening of the building."

The tour will end with The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visiting the Joan and Margaret Halbert space in The Sage.