HER Majesty the Queen is expected to go on a walkabout when she visits the town with the Duke of Edinburgh next Wednesday (July 24).

The announcement has quashed rumours that loyal local royalists, who were not among the lucky 1,500 people to be invited to the King's School for the occasion, would not even get a glimpse of the monarch.

It is hoped that the Queen and Prince Philip will spend the final ten minutes of their whistle-stop 60 minute visit to the town meeting the crowds who are expected to gather outside the school gates on Cumberland Street.

Traffic will come to a stand still and residents will be able to see the Royal couple on their first visit to the town during Her Majesty's 50-year reign.

King's School is the first stop in the North West leg of the Queen's Golden Jubilee tour.

The Royal party will be met at Manchester Airport by the Lord Lieutenant for Cheshire, William Bromley Davenport, of Capesthorne Hall, and brought by road to the school.

They are due to arrive at the school at 1.50pm and the walkabout has been scheduled for 2.50pm.

At 3pm they will then depart separately for Manchester where the Queen will visit Christie Hospital and the Museum of Jewish Life, and Prince Philip will open the Imperial War Museum.

After a walkabout in Exchange Square, Manchester, the Royal couple will attend a service of thanksgiving at Manchester Cathedral.

Timetable of events

1.50pm: The Royal party arrive at The King's School. The Lord Lieutenant William Bromley-Davenport and the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Viscount Ashbrook, present them to local dignitaries including the High Sheriff of Cheshire, John Richards, Macclesfield MP Sir Nicholas Winterton and Macclesfield Mayor, Councillor Diana Millett.

1.53pm: The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh separately meet representative groups from the school.

2.13pm: The Royal couple come together outside the main building and the Queen is invited to unveil the King's Stone to mark the school's Quincentenary.

2.15pm: The Royal Party walk past guests including the winners of the Macclesfield Express "An audience with the Queen" competition.

2.20pm: 300 balloons are released representing each of the communities of Cheshire and the Queen is presented with a gift of Macclesfield silk. Her Majesty responds. Then both she and the Duke will sign the school visitors book.

2.23pm: The Royal Party are given a tour of the marquees depicting Cheshire's rural, learning and business life.

2.50pm: The Royal couple go on a walkabout outside the school gates on Cumberland Street before departing for Manchester.

3pm: The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh depart separately for Manchester. The school gates are opened to the general public.

5pm: Close of the event.

'I would not miss this visit for the world'

Macclesfield's most famous royal watcher has always regretted never having seen the Queen on his home turf.

Ironically Colin has recently moved to Ruthin in Wales, but he has vowed to make a flying visit and hand the Queen a present - a picture taken of her during her last visit, before she was crowned.

Having seen the Queen over 100 times, Colin Edwards was over the moon that she finally decided to have a walkabout on Cumberland Street so that he can meet her in town.

Bachelor Colin said: "It's marvellous news. I would not miss the Queen's visit for the world.

"Wild horses couldn't keep me away. I have met her all over the country, so to greet her in Macclesfield having lived there for 32 years is very important to me."

Colin has already planned to wear his Union Jack hat and T-shirt and also to display a big royal banner.

He said: "It is her first visit for 53 years and I doubt that she will ever come again.

"Local people will think it unusual if I'm not there on the big day."

Colin was initially disappointed with the people who organised the Queen's schedule for not having included a walkabout.

He said: "I wrote to the Lord Lieutenant about it and I wonder if what I said had anything to do with the change of heart."

Drivers warned to steer clear of Jordangate

Organisers of the Queen's visit are warning people that there may be traffic and parking problems in the town centre on the day.

No roads are being closed but the visit is going to cause some disruption.

There are about 1,500 people who have been invited to the King's School for the visit.

And hundreds are expected to line the streets outside the school to try and catch a glimpse of Her Majesty and Prince Philip.

The traffic will have to be stopped to get the Royal party in and out of the school and it will also come to a standstill if the walkabout goes ahead as expected.

Inspector Linda Clancey, from Macclesfield police, has warned motorists to avoid the area from the Jordangate traffic lights through to the hospital roundabout, between 1pm and 4pm.

Jordangate car park will be closed to the public on the day (Wednesday, July 24) so that it can be made available to event ticket holders only.

All the car parking at the rear of the Town Hall is also being reserved for those with ticket entry into the King's School.

A spokesman for the borough council said: "The organisers have tried as hard as possible to encourage as little traffic as possible but inevitably there will be demand for car parking.

"While we hope as many people as possible will come and see the Royal party and join in this historic event we would urge people to take into account the possible traffic hold-ups and demand on parking when they plan their journey."