POWYS residents can get a head start on other areas of Wales when it comes to celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee after Buckingham Palace confirmed the Queen will be visiting the county later this month.

Residents in Ystradgynlais and surrounding areas are invited to join others from Powys for a fantastic family day out at ‘Diamonds in the Park’, free of charge on April 27.

Up to 8,000 visitors are expected to witness a host of interactive displays showcasing the best in local arts, crafts, entertainers, producers and, of course, livestock.

Around 4,000 schoolchildren from Powys have also been invited alongside members of the public for facepainting, fly-fishing and sports demonstrations, forestry displays, cake-making, storytelling sessions and much, much more.

The emergency services, armed forces and local musicians and singers will also provide main ring attractions for visitors, who should bring their own picnic.

Lord Lieutenant of Powys, the Hon Shan Legge Bourke, is hosting the event and hopes the public of all generations countywide will come along and help Powys mark the Queen’s 60th year on the throne in its own special way. “The event will be a magical once in a lifetime opportunity, which the ‘Diamonds in the Park’ Team hope Powys people will thoroughly enjoy and have fun,” she said.

Powys Guides, Scouts, WI members, YFC clubs and other county groups will also be represented as part of a wider, national programme marking the milestone.

Visits to Herefordshire and Shropshire in July have also been publicly confirmed.

For more information the Queen’s tour as a whole, visit the diamondjubilee.org.uk