AS Worcester prepares for a very special visitor on Wednesdayh, Royal watchers are being urged to plan their journey in advance.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will visit Worcester for the first time in 10 years on Wednesday as part of their Diamond Jubilee Tour of the UK.

They will begin the visit by enjoying a tour of the Hive before officially opening it by unveiling a plaque.

After leaving the Hive, they will travel by car down Angel Place, onto Broad Street and then along the High Street before arriving for a lunch reception at the Guildhall, which will be followed by a walkabout in the High Street.

They will then travel by car along Pump Street, turn right onto Friar Street before turning right onto College Street and then entering the cathedral for a concert.

People coming into Worcester for the visit are urged to ditch the car and take advantage of the free, direct park and ride services which are being run.

They are being run from Perdiswell and Sixways throughout the day.

There are 800 spaces at Sixways, which is just off junction 6 of the M5, and 450 at Perdiswell, off the Droitwich Road.

Thousands of people are expected in Worcester for the event. Visitors are advised to walk, if appropriate, travel by train or use the park and ride to reduce risk of traffic congestion.

The specially named Q1 service – usually W1 – will run from Perdiswell to the town centre every 10 minutes from 7am, with the Q2 from Sixways running every 20 minutes from 9am.

Road closures on Wednesday include the Butts from about between 10am and 1pm, and College Street and Deansway from 1.45pm until 3pm.

Copenhagen Street and King Street car parks will be closed until 2.30pm.

To find out more about the royal visit, including a route map and full park-and-ride timetable, visitworcestershire.gov.uk

For updates on the day, follow us on Twitter using the hashtag #JubileeWorcs

Parking for blue badge holders will be available elsewhere in the city. Cattle Market car park will still be open, but the only entrance and exit will be in Croft Road, off Castle Street (at the mini-roundabout).

• Click the link below for a map of the route.