POLICE have a massive security operation ready to protect the Queen on her visit to Kent tomorrow. It is all part of the preparations for the royal visit to Canterbury where she will distribute Maundy Money at the Cathedral and to the University of Greenwich at Medway campus.

The Queen will be visiting Canterbury for the first time in 15 years. But her visit to the seat of the Anglican Church comes at a time of high tension and risk following the September 11 atrocity and Britain's increasing role in the war against terrorism.

As a result, all police leave has been cancelled for the day and a high level of alert is in place. Even the 800 ticket holders, granted privileged access to The Precincts, have had to be security screened.

Police officers will mingle with the large crowds which are expected to line Lower Bridge Street, Burgate and Buttermarket for the Queen's arrival at 10.45am.

Around 5,000 spectators are expected To help generate that atmosphere, the city council is putting on street entertainment with jugglers, clowns and acrobats. There will also be children's rides and the Invicta Concert Band will perform in the Dane John Gardens from 12noon to 2pm.

In the afternoon, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will be at the University of Greenwich's Medway campus for the inauguration of the Universities at Medway partnership. This is a collaboration between the Universities of Greenwich and Kent, Medway Council and Mid-Kent College.

Medway Council has warned the public that traffic will be disrupted in and around Chatham Maritime from 2pm, but also gave details of the Royal route for spectators.

Unless there are late emergency changes, the Royal party will arrive at the campus via the gateway off the roundabout.

They will then move into Central Avenue before entering the campus at around 3pm. They will leave via the gateway and travel into Dock Road after 4pm.

A Medway Council spokesman urged people to make their way to the University on foot or by public transport. There is no car parking. There will be no access for vehicles in and out of the campus or the Compass Centre.