THERE were miles of smiles across Lancaster and Morecambe as the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the district for two very different celebrations.

The Royal couple's first duty was at Morecambe promenade where the Queen unveiled a statue to the resort's favourite son, Eric Morecambe.

The informal ceremony included local school children dancing to Eric's anthem "Bring Me Sunshine" and guest stars on the Morecambe and Wise Show, Frank Finlay and Sir Robin Day, also joined in the fun.

After the frivolity by the seaside, the Queen visited Lancaster to mark the 600th anniversary of the Duchy of Lancaster and the city's close links with the monarchy.

After a special service at Lancaster Priory, she went walkabout in Market Square to talk to some of the hundreds of flag waving people who turned up to see her.

She was then royally entertained at the Town Hall where specially invited guests sat down to a commemorative lunch.

The visit sparked unprecedented media coverage and the number of people calling into the Tourist Information Centre on Sunday were up 400 per cent on last year.

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