The lord-lieutenant for Cumbria visited Whitehaven to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Claire Hensman, the Queen’s representative for Cumbria, visited the town with her husband, Peter, on Sunday, as part of the weekend’s celebrations.

Gerard Richardson MBE, who has recently been appointed one of Cumbria’s deputy lord-lieutenants, walked Mrs Hensman around the harbour, along with Marlene Jewell, Whitehaven Town Council Clerk, and Marc Goodwin, the Whitehaven town crier.

The lord-lieutenant was accompanied to St Nicholas' Gardens, where she was greeted by Edwin Dinsdale, deputy mayor of Whitehaven, and formally welcomed to the town. She was given a tour of the photographic exhibition that had run all week as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Gerard Richardson MBE said: Its always lovely to host the lord-lieutenant on a visit to Whitehaven and especially on a weekend of Royal celebration.

“This one had an extra personal dimension, however, as I had recently been appointed to the role of deputy lieutenant for Cumbria, so it made it a little bit more special.

“She loved the market but she was fascinated by the photo exhibition in St Nicholas’ Gardens. "Edwin Dinsdale, escorted her around that and regaled her with some tales around several of the pictures.”

Edwin Dinsdale, deputy mayor of Whitehaven, said: “It was a great honour to welcome the lord-lieutenant to Whitehaven.

“The lord-lieutenant was very impressed with the photographic exhibition and other attractions that had been put on for the Platinum Jubilee weekend, which included the continental market.

“We shared stories about how Whitehaven had moved away from its industrial past to a more tourist-based town.

“Photos of open railway lines running round the harbour, along with coal shoots and preparation areas for the Marchon chemical works, really demonstrated how much the town has changed over the years."