THE Queen will visit Dorset on May 1 for her Diamond Jubilee tour – though Bournemouth and Poole look set to miss out.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip will spend two days in the south west and their Dorset time will be based in Sherborne Abbey.

Mayor Cllr Marjorie Snowden said: “I believe that she is hoping to visit every county. The fact that she has chosen Sherborne when they are so many lovely towns in Dorset is simply wonderful.

“People will be getting out the flags already.”

Staff at Sherborne Abbey had been asked not to comment and Buckingham Palace would only say details are still being finalised. The Queen last visited Sherborne in 1998 to see the dedication of the great west window but also took in Poole railway station and Queen Elizabeth School in Wimborne.

However it seems she will be on a tight timetable and will not see much beyond Sherborne.

Cllr Snowden said: “As I understand it, she will be coming on the train and then going on to Exeter.”

The office of the Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset said it was working on a programme for the visit.