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Queen visits Blackburn for Maundy service

The Queen has been in Lancashire today handing out Maundy Money at Blackburn Cathedral.

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What is Maundy money?

Example of Maundy money Credit: PA

The Queen commemorates Maundy by offering "alms" to senior citizens recommended by clergy and ministers of all denominations, in recognition of their service to the Church and to the local community.

During the service the Queen gives out the Maundy money to 88 men and 88 women - one for each of her 88 years.

Each recipient receives two purses, one red and one white.

This year the red purse contains a £5 coin, commemorating the 300th anniversary of Queen Anne's reign and a 50p coin commemorating the 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this summer.

The white purse contains specially minted Maundy money.

This takes the form of one, two, three and four silver penny pieces, the sum of which equals the number of years of the monarch's age.

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