WE are inviting the people of Lancashire to enter our competition to present a gift to The Queen when she visits the county on her Jubilee Tour.

Her Majesty will stop off in Preston on August 5 and what better way to receive her than to give her a souvenir to take away with her.

If The Queen were visiting you, what would you give her?

A rose perhaps, to represent the Red Rose County?

Or maybe you would like to paint something, such as a watercolour of a famous local landmark.

Whatever your talents, it's time to put them to use to design and create a beautiful gift for The Queen.

There are no strict rules as such, although items must be of realistic dimensions in order that they can be presented as a gift.

Value is not important, but what is important is that the gift represents the county of Lancashire.

And if you have already created something you feel would be fitting, then enter that.

The competition is open to individuals, groups, organisations and businesses, and the winners will have the honour of actually presenting the gift to the Queen.

The closing date is July 4 and entrants will be invited to County Hall, in Preston, to show off their entries to a panel of independent judges, which will include some famous Lancashire folk.

To enter, write down in no more than 50 words what it is you would like to present to the Queen. You may wish to explain why your gift idea is significant, as judges may take this into account when making their decision.

Send your gift idea to the Jubilee Gift Competition, The Citizen, 3, Winckley Court, Chapel Street, Preston, PR1 3JJ.

Remember to include your name, address, and day time phone number. Winners must be available on August 5 to present their gift to the Queen in Preston.

The judges' decision is final, no correspondence will be entered in to.