LACK of interest in the royal wedding could be because Prince Harry is not directly in line for the throne, according to Blackburn with Darwen's mayor.

Outgoing borough mayor, Cllr Colin Rigby, said he could understand why people did not seem to be as interested in Prince Harry's upcoming marriage to Meghan Markle as they were when William married Kate in 2011.

He said: "He's only fourth or fifth in line. I think there's a lot of noise about it in London.

"I think the location the wedding is being held signifies to some degree that it's not as important as the last one.

"It's not at the same sort of level and because of that it's not drawn the same enthusiasm."

Figures from elsewhere in East Lancashire suggest Blackburn with Darwen is not alone in a lack of anticipation for the wedding.

There are no planned official street parties in the borough compared to seven when William and Kate tied the knot in 2011.

In Rossendale, there have been six applications for grant funding, one of which included an application for a road closure.

There has also been a request to mow grass on an open space for another group planning a party.

The funding applications have ranged from neighbour street parties, a party for Brownies and a party for residents with learning disabilities.

Meanwhile, Hyndburn Council has received three applications for road closures to allow street parties compared to 11 in 2011.

The nation did get an extra bank holiday for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding - and Harry and Meghan’s big day also clashes with the FA Cup Final, as well as the start of Ramadan.

On the eve of the wedding there will be a patriotic celebratory theme in Blackburn Market.

As part of a 'royal' tour of the North West, the UK’s top look-alikes will be popping into the market on a VIP visit to surprise traders and customers two days before the big day.

The couple will be married by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby in a midday ceremony, taking place in St George’s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

They will then travel through the streets of Windsor in a carriage.

Among the guests attending the wedding will be an 11-year-old girl from Accrington who has battled a life-limiting heart and lung defect.

Madison Kennedy-Finglas and her family will be at the wedding representing WellChild, the national charity for seriously ill children, which has Prince Harry as its patron.

She will be attending along with older brother Dylan, 16, nine-year-old sister Maisie and her mum Danielle.