A four-day festival of art and design will be launched when the Queen comes to Ilford later this month, as more details about her visit to the borough are released.

The Queen is starting her UK-wide Diamond Jubilee tour at Valentines Mansion and Gardens, off Emerson Road, Ilford, on Thursday, March 29.

She is due to arrive at the 16th century mansion at 10.25am, with members of the public keen to catch a glimpse of Her Majesty advised to arrive in Valentines Park no later than 9.30am.

She will be accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh as she views part of the art and design exhibition, called London Pride – 60 Years of Bright Ideas.

The four-day exhibition will include paintings and small sculptures from the Tate Gallery, classic vehicles and memorabilia from the London Transport Museum and a Mini decorated by Damien Hirst.

A “dry” garden is also being created in Valentines Park to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee and the Queen’s visit.

The plants will not need much water and will include a range of colourful flowers in mainly blue, purple and yellow.

A design and craft fair will run on the Saturday and Sunday of the festival at Valentines Mansion.

The venue will be open to the public to view the exhibition and take part in activities from 2-5pm on March 29, and from 11am-5pm the following three days.

People are urged to use public transport or to walk to the park on the morning of the Queen’s visit, with the Emerson Road entrance to the park closed.

The Queen last visited the borough in May 2002, in the lead-up to her Golden Jubilee celebrations, when she was a Redbridge Lane West Allotments.

A plaque recording her visit was unveiled on the same day in Redbridge Town Hall, High Road, Ilford.