THE Citizen's Gift from Lancashire competition has caused a buzz among the creative community and the general public alike.

Ideas are pouring in for what to present to the Queen as a souvenir of her visit to the county on August 5.

One celebrity broadcaster from Preston has met many of the royals and has her own ideas on what The Queen might like.

Fiona Armstrong, 45, has been a familiar face on television screens for more than a decade covering everything from fishing programmes to political shows and as a journalist for ITN news.

She now lives in Scotland but visits Preston regularly to see her parents who still live in Fulwood and her old school friends from St Thomas More.

The freelance broadcaster recalls many royal encounters. "When I worked for ITN in the early 90s I met Prince Charles and Princess Diana on a royal tour of West Africa, they were both very charming. I met Prince Andrew when the QE2 was being refurbished and he was very lively. I've also met the Queen on a number of occasions and if I were to make her a gift I would include a red rose - to represent Lancashire," said Fiona.

Her Majesty will visit Preston part of her jubilee tour, and The Citizen is inviting local folk to design a gift.

The prize winning entry will be chosen by a panel of judges including the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Sir Tom Finney and the group editor of The Citizen newspapers, Kevin Young.

The winner must be available on August 5 to meet the Queen and present their gift. The closing date is July 4. Write down in no more than 50 words what it is you would like to present to the Queen and explain why your gift is significant.

Send entries, including your name, address and a daytime telephone number to The Citizen, 3 Winckley Court, Winckley Square, Preston, PR1 3JJ. Entrants will be invited to present their gift at County Hall, Preston, on July 8 when the judges will decide. The judges' decision is final; no correspondence will be entered in to.