EXCITEMENT is mounting at a hospital, two schools and a sheltered housing residents as a royal visit to Suffolk gets closer, the Evening Star can today reveal.

EXCITEMENT is mounting at a hospital, two schools and a sheltered housing residents as a royal visit to Suffolk gets closer, the Evening Star can today reveal.

For the first cousin of the Queen and brother of Princess Alexandra the bunting will be out on October 21 as the Duke of Kent visits Ipswich, Debenham, Framlingham and Stutton.

The 68-year-old, who celebrates his 69th birthday on October 9, will visit Thomas Mills High School, in Framlingham, and Debenham High School in Gracechurch Street, Debenham.

David Floyd, headteacher at Thomas Mills High School, said the school was excited about the royal visit.

Mr Floyd said: "We are certainly overjoyed at the prospect of his royal highness coming to see us. We have got a tour of the new maths building, our performance studio and new art room."

Mr Floyd said the Duke will officially open the school's new £170,000 science block.

He added: "We invited him as we have celebrated our silver jubilee this year. This will be the highlight of our celebrations."

During his day in Suffolk the Duke will officially open the Cancer Education Centre at Ipswich Hospital and the Very Sheltered Housing Scheme at Oak House in Stutton.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said the exact timings of the Duke's itinerary could not be revealed but the engagements were part of his schedule as a working royal.

He said: "The Duke is a full time member of the royal family and the visits are a continuation of his work in supporting the Queen."

Royal sources said the Duke, a knight of the garter, was looking forward to his visit.