A BUSY schedule of engagements is being lined up for Huddersfield's royal visitors next week.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will spend several hours in the town on May 24 in their first visit for 15 years.

But civic officials are optimistic that the celebrations will continue long after they have left, with two spectacular concerts set to pack St George's Square.

Kirklees Council has already revealed plans for a bumper bank holiday weekend of celebrations to mark the visit.

Events begin on the evening of Thursday, May 24, with The People's Prom, featuring the internationally famous Huddersfield Choral Society and the orchestra of Opera North.

The following evening the musical tone becomes more modern when The Ordinary Boys, featuring singer Preston, headline at The People's Party.

Both outdoor concerts are free to the public and take place against the spectacular backdrop of St George's Square.

The Queen and the Duke, who will visit Bradford earlier in the day, are due to arrive in Huddersfield shortly before 12.30pm.

They will begin their visit with lunch, hosted by the university and prepared by Mumtaz Restaurant.

The town's civic delegation will dine alongside other invited guests, including some of Huddersfield's very own Ambassadors.

The 25 Ambassadors were appointed in November last year. They were chosen from a background of business, creativity, sport and academia.

Their role is to raise awareness about the town and to promote the opportunities it offers.

They are not celebrities per se, but by virtue of their professional or personal attributes, Ambassadors are using their influence to highlight the town, its successes and aspirations.

Following lunch, the Queen and the duke will attend separate engagements at sites which show two of the town's most innovative regeneration projects.

The Queen will officially open the third phase of The Media Centre in Northumberland Street.

This is a state-of-the-art incubator space for young entrepreneurial businesses active in the creative and knowledge sectors.

She will also unveil The Apple, a specially-commissioned sculpture sourced from sustainable wood and powered by solar panels.

Ken Gillespie, Kirklees Council's Director of Regeneration will give a presentation about the developments taking place in the town, reflecting on the surge of interest Huddersfield enjoys from developers and investors.

The Queen will also meet Ajaz Ahmed, the Huddersfield businessman who founded Freeserve from offices in the Media Centre, and businessman Ken Davy, owner of Huddersfield Town and the Huddersfield Giants.

Meanwhile, the Duke of Edinburgh will visit the multi-award winning Circus building at Primrose Hill.

This is an acclaimed eco-social housing development off Ridge Close and has won a top award for sustainable energy.

The duke will meet tenants who benefit from cutting-edge technology, and talk to local schoolchildren who have helped design the communal gardens.

A council spokesman said: "Both sites serve as testament to Huddersfield's ambitions and commitment to create a green, diverse, young and economically strong environment."

The highlight of the day is expected at 2.45pm, when the Queen and the duke enter St George's Square for a walkabout, before taking their seats for their choral farewell.

Huddersfield is fast earning a reputation as a leading cultural and creative centre in the North of England.

The royal guests will witness these credentials first-hand when they enjoy a preview of The People's Prom.

The Choral Society will present a regal send-off featuring classic excerpts from The Messiah, Zadok The Priest, and the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves.

After the Queen's departure the Choral Society and the orchestra of Opera North begin preparations for the gala performance of The People's Prom, due to start in St George's Square at 7pm.

John Denham, president of the Choral Society. relishes the prospect of a royal and public performance.

He said: "Our concert performances take us right across the world and we fly the flag for the town wherever we go.

"However, I suspect that nothing will quite compare to performing live in St George's Square for the people of Huddersfield.

"Being able to perform for the Queen and the duke in our home town is indeed an honour and we are thrilled to be able to oblige."