Blackpool gets a Royal visitor

The Countess of Wessex will visit Blackpool today (Tuesday) to celebrate two of the towns most famous landmarks. Sophie Wessex is marking the 125th anniversary of Blackpool Tower and the Grand Theatre. She will meet people who have helped save and restore the attractions.

Her Royal Highness will first visit the Blackpool Grand Theatre, where she will enjoy a short performance from two youth groups, Our Lady of the Assumption RC Primary School group who are part of the Grand Theatre's Associate Schools Programme and the Scouts, Guides, Cubs and Brownies, who will perform an excerpt from Blackpool Scout Gang Show, which will take place at the theatre later in the month.

Following the performance Her Royal Highness will meet representatives from the three charities who saved the theatre from demolition in the early 1970s along with young people for whom the Grand Theatre is an important part of their lives, both as a venue to perform in and as an educational resource that works with schools across Blackpool to improve young people's literacy, resilience and learning.

Following her meeting at the theatre, The Countess will then visit The Blackpool Tower where she will meet with Kate Shane, Head of Merlin Entertainments Blackpool Cluster, before being given a guided tour.

Her Royal Highness will visit the famous attractions found inside the Lancashire landmark including The Blackpool Tower Ballroom and The Blackpool Tower Circus followed by a visit to the building's viewing platform, The Blackpool Tower Eye.

Before departing, Her Royal Highness will be invited to unveil a new blue plaque commemorating The Blackpool Tower's 125th birthday.