EXCITEMENT is building for the Queen and Prince Philip’s visit to Accrington and Burnley today.

Thousands of people across East Lancashire are set to get involved by cheering on Her Majesty during the day, the latest stage of her Diamond Jubilee tour.

Some workers are being given time off to greet the royal party, while schools will be taking children along to join in the day.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, who will be joined by Prince Charles for part of the visit, will be welcomed mid-morning by crowds at Burnley’s Finsley Gate wharf.

They will then enjoy a trip on a barge along the Leeds Liverpool Canal to see some of the town’s most historic buildings at the Weavers’ Triangle.

After meeting young people from the Prince Charles’ charities, they will be driven across the town centre to take a tour of Burnley College.

Before leaving the town for Accrington Town Hall and Market, the royals will have lunch at Turf Moor, where the stadium’s James Hargreaves stand will be open to the public to watch performances by primary and secondary schools.

Motorists face some short-term disruption around Burnley town centre as the royal convoy moves through, but a police spokesman said this would be kept to a minimum.

He said: “A royal visit on this scale requires a significant amount of planning to ensure the safety of both our royal guests and the local residents who wish to go to Burnley and Accrington to see them.

"This will mean that we may have to restrict access to some areas in order to maintain public safety, and security for the visiting guests.”

St James’ Street, from the pedestrianised area through to Westgate roundabout, will be closed all day, as will Sandygate, Neptune Street and Wiseman Street.

Harry Potts Way will be closed from 10am, and Belvedere Road will be closed temporarily while coaches arrive with the children who are meeting the Queen.

Burnley Council will be allowing its staff to take a break and watch the royal convoy drive past the town hall.

Brian Hobbs, chairman of Burnley Chamber of Trade, said he hoped the visit would encourage people to come and spend money in the town.

He said: “We want as many people out as possible. It is a wonderful event and if it brings people into the town and they spend a little bit, that’s brilliant.”

After lunch, the Queen and Prince Philip will move on to Accrington.

The Queen will be given a tour of the market, and be presented with posies by six-year-old Olivia Waine, of St Anne and St Joseph's Primary School, Accrington, and nine-year-old Rachel Stansfield, of West End Primary School, Oswaldtwistle.

The town is expected to get very busy and it is recommended that people use public transport to get to the centre. St James’ Street, parts of Blackburn Road, Birch Street, School Street, Holme Street, and Dutton Street will be closed, and parking restrictions will be in place in Ormerod Street, Eagle Street, Cannon Street, and parts of Blackburn Road. Crawshaw Street car park will also be closed.