STOCKTON'S new visitor attraction is to be opened in time for celebrations of the Queen's 90th birthday.

The Stockton Flyer, a moving mechanical sculpture, will emerge from a plinth on the town's refurbished High Street for the first time on Sunday, June 12.

People lining the High Street will wave green flags to give the Flyer its signal to begin ahead of the Queen’s representative the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Sue Snowdon, pulling a golden lever which will bring the creation whirring into life.

There will also be picnic tables, a Farmer’s Market, Victorian Fairground, a traditional tea dance, Lego workshops, balloon modelling and street theatre among the attractions.

The street party will be held on the same afternoon that the Patron’s Lunch takes place on The Mall in London and Billingham and Yarm Town Councils are also planning celebrations.

Stockton Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Arts, Leisure and Culture, Councillor Norma Wilburn, said: “This fun filled party will have activities suitable for the whole family so I would encourage everyone living in and around Stockton borough to come along to the town centre to take part in the celebrations and see the Stockton Flyer rumble into action for the very first time.”

The event will take place between 10.30am and 4pm with the community afternoon tea taking place from 12noon with the Stockton Flyer set to emerge at around 1pm. A video of the Stockton Flyer’s creation can be viewed at www.stockton.gov.uk/royal