THE Princess Royal will give St Helens the Royal seal of approval when she opens the St Ann's Millennium Centre in Rainhill.

During her visit, on Thursday, September 20, the Princess Royal will be entertained with a range of activities from authentic Egyptian dancing to an arts and crafts demonstration and a musical display by local award winning rock band Revolution.

The Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Mr Alan Waterworth Esq, High Sheriff of Merseyside, Professor Peter Toyne and the Mayor of St Helens, Councillor Keith Roberts, will join the Princess Royal.

Moira Dickinson, Millennium Centre Manager, said: "The local people are delighted to see the Millennium Centre officially opened by HRH the Princess Royal.

This is an important local project, helping people of all ages remember and learn the local historic and cultural heritage of the area."

The centre is supported by a £345,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £192,000 from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.