CATHCART Square and the Municipal Buildings have been unveiled as the venue for the Queen's historic visit to Greenock.

As part of an official Diamond Jubilee tour, Her Majesty will open the new �2 million customer contact centre which has just been completed by Inverclyde Council.

After weeks of speculation, Palace officials finally confirmed the plans yesterday - and now the countdown to the big event on Wednesday 4 July begins.

Thousands are expected to line the streets to welcome Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh to the town during the Jubilee visit.

The Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire, Guy Clark, who is responsible for the visit, said: "I think Cathcart Square will look very, very special indeed.

"We are now in the final stages of planning.

"The square itself has undergone some major improvements and the council has done a wonderful job." After the official Diamond Jubilee celebrations earlier this month, excitement about the Queen visiting Greenock is reaching fever pitch.

The Lord Lieutenant added: "Everywhere I go the response has been overwhelming.

"People are so enthusiastic about the fact that we have achieved the almost impossible, getting the Queen to come here to Greenock.

"During the Jubilee I have been visiting schools and care homes and everyone is so excited.

"Greenock is only one of three places in Scotland, outwith Glasgow and Edinburgh, that she will visit as part of her tour." The Lord Lieutenant has been working behind the scenes for the last two and a half years to secure the historic visit and the regeneration of Inverclyde has been the main driving force behind the decision by the Palace to include Greenock on the select itinerary.

Provost Robert Moran will be among the official delegation welcoming the Queen to Greenock.

He said: "It really is a feather in the cap for Inverclyde.

"I would like to say again, a massive thank you to Guy Clark who has made this happen." The Queen's visit will bring back poignant memories for some - as Cathcart Square was the venue for her first visit as Queen, just six years after her succession.

During the visit the Royal couple will meet representatives from the Ocean Youth Trust, the Inverclyde Tourist Group, the Port Glasgow Otters and the Inverclyde Community Development Trust.

The Lord Lieutenant has also arranged for the uniformed organisations, such as the Boys' Brigade, Scouts and the Girl Guides, to form part of the welcoming party in the square.