Lancashire is set to welcome some royal visitors today and the Earl and Countess of Wessex will be visiting some notable locations.

Prince Edward and his wife Sophie Rhys-Jones will be visiting Preston as part of the ongoing Platinum Jubilee celebrations and also to mark Preston’s 20th year as a city.

The royals will also be stopping off in Lancaster.

As part of The Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2002, Preston was granted city status, becoming England's 50th city during the 50th year of Her Majesty's reign.

Edward and Sophie will visit Avenham and Miller Park in Preston before meeting some market traders at Preston Market Hall. They will also visit the historic Lancaster Castle later in the day.

Mayor of Preston, Councillor Neil Darby, said: "We are honoured to be welcoming Their Royal Highnesses, The Earl and Countess of Wessex [today].

"As we continue to celebrate Preston's 20 years as a city, we are looking forward to The Earl and Countess of Wessex's visits to Preston Market and two of our beautiful green spaces, Avenham and Miller Parks, which have once again been awarded the Green Flag Award.

"In the year that Her Majesty The Queen celebrates 70 years as our Monarch, and The Queen's Baton Relay passed through our parks and city centre ahead of the Commonwealth Games, we are delighted that The Earl and Countess of Wessex will be visiting our city, and we look forward to showing them some of Proud Preston's iconic locations."

Earlier this year Prince Charles visited Morecambe where he visited the town’s Winter Gardens, Lancashire Fire and Rescue and Morecambe Bay Foodbank to name a few.

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He also praised Darwen-based electrician business Elektec who were given a grant by the Prince's Trust, a charity that was founded by Prince Charles.