THOUSANDS of well-wishers from all over East Lancashire will line the streets of Blackburn when the Queen visits next week.

The route Her Majesty and Prince Philip will take through the town has been announced, and drivers have been warned to expect delays and diversions.

The royals will be making their way by car to Blackburn Cathedral for the special Maundy Thursday service from 10.30am where they will hand out Maundy Money to people from across Lancashire.

They will arrive at Blackburn railway station, and will be driven along Railway Road, down Church Street, and onto Darwen Street.

Large barriers will be put in place to allow crowds to line the whole of the route and show their support.

Residents are being warned to expect the town centre to be very busy on the day.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has advised that limited, well-signposted diversions and road closures will be in place between 6am and 1pm.

The diversion will take traffic via St Peter Street, Byrom Street, Montague Street, and Barbara Castle Way.

There will also be a diversion in place along Barton Street, Blakey Moor, Alma Street, and Barbara Castle Way. Between 6pm and 1pm shoppers are asked to use Ainsworth Street entrance to access The Mall car park.

There will also be some disruption to public transport, and slight changes to services have been agreed with all public transport providers, who will be keeping customers informed.

Council officials have said that the town will be operating as usual following the departure of the royal party when they make their way to Ewood Park for a reception.

Barriers will be taken down, diversions removed and the roads around the cathedral will be reopened.

A council spokeswoman said: “People have been more than happy to accommodate the changes because they see how it’s such a good thing having the Queen in town.”