THE QUEEN and the Duke of Edinburgh are to visit Plymouth next month as part of a whistle-stop tour of Devon.

The Royal couple will be taken to Wrigley’s at Estover on March 11 to help workers celebrate 40th birthday of the factory, which was officially opened by the Duke 38 years ago.

Her Majesty and Prince Philip will meet representatives of Wrigley’s staff and members of the charitable arm of the company.

They will see events in the ’quality room’ and the health centre before continuing to the restaurant to witness a plaque unveiling.

The Wrigley Company has been selling chewing gum in the UK since 1911 and operates as a subsidiary of Mars Inc.

Wrigley has had a manufacturing presence in the UK since 1926 and moved to the Plymouth site in 1970.

The company employs more than 550 people throughout the UK and has an additional sales office in Reading.

The Queen has been a regular visitor to the city over the years, and this is not even her first visit to an Estover factory.

On June 23, 1999, she and Prince Philip visited the Gleason’s factory where gear-cutting machinery is manufactured.

In 1977, the Queen visited the city as part of her Silver Jubilee celebrations.

And there have been several visits with Royal Navy and Devonport Dockyard connections.

Ian Burton, managing director of Wrigley UK and Republic of Ireland, said: “Wrigley is very much looking forward to welcoming Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh on their forthcoming visit to the Wrigley factory on 11th March to help commemorate our 40th anniversary in Plymouth.

“Wrigley started manufacturing chewing gum at its Estover site in May 1970 and since then has been an integral part of the city and local community.

“We are particularly delighted to welcome back His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh who officially opened the factory in 1972.”

The Royal one-day tour will also include stops in Exeter and at Dartington Hall, Totnes.