Sir Tom Finney funeral roads closed

Image caption, Roads around Preston Minster will close for Sir Tom Finney's funeral cortege

Road closures are to be put in place ahead of the civic funeral of Sir Tom Finney in Preston.

Thousands of people are expected to line the streets to watch the cortege make its way through the city before a service at Preston Minster at 13:00 GMT on Thursday.

The 91-year-old former England and Preston North End winger died on 14 February.

The service will be shown on big screens at the club's Deepdale ground.

It will be attended by 600 invited guests at the minster, while fans watching the funeral at the ground had to obtain free tickets from the club.

Books of condolence

The cortege will set off at 12:15 GMT from Deepdale Stadium, moving along Sir Tom Finney Way and Deepdale Road to Ringway, and Tithebarn Street (in front of Preston Bus Station), Lord Street and Lancaster Road to Church Street.

At Tithebarn Street it will be met by mounted police and outside Preston Guildhall it will be met by representatives from the Preston and District Veterans Association before its scheduled arrival at Preston Minster at about 12:50.

Civic representatives will join the cortege outside Preston Town Hall.

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Sir Tom Finney is to have a civic funeral

Preston City Council said part of Church Street would be closed to traffic and pedestrians between 08:00 and 15:00.

The other roads on the route will be closed to traffic between 11:00 and 15:00. Diversions will be put in place.

Books of condolence will be available to sign at the town hall or Harris Museum until 18:30.

At the Deepdale screening, there will be collections for charities Sir Tom supported - Alzheimer's, Baby Beat and Space Centre.