The Queen is to visit Brighton and Hove next month to see the new city she created.

Locals are expected to line the streets to welcome Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh on Thursday March 29.

They will visit projects to help homeless people, meet academics at Sussex University, chat to residents and see some of the city's heritage.

Council leader Lynette Gwyn-Jones said: "It's wonderful news the Queen is to visit our new city and meet many of the people that make Brighton and Hove the cosmopolitan place it is today."

The Royal party will arrive by helicopter at Hove Park late morning and will be met by the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Phyllida Stewart-Roberts.

The Queen and the Duke will be driven to St Patrick's Trust in Cambridge Road, Hove, which offers accommodation and learning facilities for homeless men and women.

They will then go their separate ways, with the Queen visiting the St John Ambulance Sussex Homeless Project while the Duke goes to Sussex University.

Both will then visit the Corn Exchange to meet the mayor and chat with local people.

The Queen will have lunch at the Royal Pavilion.

Her Majesty granted city status to Brighton and Hove, Wolverhampton and Inverness in December following a long competition between 39 towns.

At the pavilion, she will be able to view the Letters Patent bearing the Royal Seal which was granted to Brighton and Hove last week confirming the new status.

In the afternoon the Queen and the Duke will take a short walk through the city centre.

Finally they will visit community arts and training centre Lighthouse, in Middle Street, before leaving by helicopter from East Brighton Park.