LAST minute preparations have ensured Worcester looks its best for the Queen’s visit today.

Worcester City Council’s cleaner and greener rangers worked hard yesterday doing last-minute paint touch-ups over the city and using a high pressure street cleaner.

Bunting was also rearranged to decorate the route which will be taken by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh on their first official visit to Worcester in 10 years.

As previously reported in the Worcester News, the royal couple will today officially open the Hive, the county’s new library and history centre, lunch at the Guildhall, visit the cathedral and meet members of the public in the High Street.

Worcester is known as the Faithful City because of its longstanding loyalty to the Royal Family, dating to the Battle of Worcester in 1651, the final conflict of the English Civil War.

After the opening of the Hive, the royal party will move on to the Guildhall, where they will enjoy a reception and lunch with community representatives from across Worcestershire.

This will be followed by a chance for the royal couple to meet residents on the High Street, where tourism body Visit Worcester is organising two themed displays celebrating the city’s heritage.

The Queen and the Duke will also visit the cathedral to listen to a celebration of the Diamond Jubilee in words and music.

Among the audience will be 300 local heroes, nominated by readers of the Worcester News.

Four Worcester Community Trust volunteers were among the lucky nominations – Laura Robinson, Sam Sadler, James Reynolds and George Davidge, who volunteer at the Tolly Centre in Rowan Avenue and Warndon Youth and Community Centre in Shap Drive.

Mr Sadler has also been invited to have lunch with the Queen at the Guildhall in Worcester.

Miss Robinson has been volunteering as a business administrator at the Tolly Centre for more than a year.

This year she helped organise the Tolly street party for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

She said: “I am excited about meeting the Queen, it will be an occasion to remember.”

A spokesman for Worcester City Council said they were expecting some people to camp out on the High Street in anticipation of the royal couple’s visit.

He said while they could not be sure if or how many people would camp out, security procedures for today’s visit did include a provision for people camping out ahead of the royal couple’s arrival.

Members of various youth groups have been chosen to line the streets and form a guards of honour for the visit at the Hive and the Guildhall.

More than 1,000 youngsters will be positioned along the 2,300 metres of road the royal car will be travelling.

Members of the Rainbows, Brownies, Girl Guides, Scouts, Cubs and Beavers will be represented alongside sea, air and army cadets, St John Ambulance cadets, Combined Cadet Forces from Malvern College and King’s School Worcester, plus Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade.

Deputy Lieutenant Patricia Bradbury said: “The lieutenancy is very proud that so many young people with their leaders have managed to take time off school, work and other commitments to join in this special and exceptional day of the reigning monarch visiting Worcester city.”

• Click here for our special Queen's Visit page.

By Royal appointment

11.45am – The royal party arrives at the Hive
12.15pm – Departs the Hive
12.20pm – Arrives at the Guildhall
1.55pm – Walkabout
2.05pm – Arrives at the cathedral
2.30pm – Departs cathedral

• Join our Twitterfeed using the #JubileeWorcs hashtag.