Why the Queen's funeral is not being shown on the big…

Why the Queen's funeral is not being shown on the big screen in Swansea

Tens of thousands of people have lined the streets of London, keen to catch a final glimpse of Her Majesty's coffin before she is laid to rest later today, and millions more are expected to tune in to watch Her Majesty's funeral on their television or radio.

Whilst members of the public will be able to come together to watch the funeral on big screens in cities across the UK, including in Hyde Park in London, Centenary Square in Birmingham and Holyrood Park in Edinburgh - no towns or cities in Wales are hosting the event on their big screens.

In Swansea, many members of the public hoped the funeral would be shown on the Swansea Big Screen at Castle Square - but the Council have confirmed this will not be possible as the screen is no longer working.

A spokesperson said: "Swansea venues including Vue Cinema will be showing the Queen’s funeral on Monday (September 19), although the big screen in Castle Square is no longer operational so the funeral won’t be shown there. It is planned to replace the big screen as part of the new-look Castle Square in future."

Fortunately, the event will be broadcast live on most of the main British television channels. ITV is running uninterrupted coverage of the Queen's state funeral, with Tom Bradby and Julie Etchingham leading the reports, whilst BBC will have rolling coverage until 5.05pm, with reports from Westminster Abbey and St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle as Her Majesty is laid to rest. Welsh presenter Huw Edwards will lead the coverage. Sky News will also be broadcasting the event. For more on what you can expect from each channel's broadcasts, go here.

Members of the public can still sign a Book of Condolence for Her Majesty at Swansea Civic Centre or online. For more places you can sign a book of condolences and leave flowers for the Queen, go here.

Nostalgic new look for Swansea's Castle Square

Swansea Council intends to replace the Swansea Big Screen when Castle Square is regenerated. Castle Square used to be filled with more greenery, with plenty of lawned areas and flower beds, but nowadays the area is a drab concrete square lacking colour and imagination.

The proposed new-look for Castle Square (Swansea City Council/ACME)

The latest plans show a different look to the square with more greenery and planting and more inviting steps, seating, lighting and paving, as well as two green-roofed commercial units which could be used as retail units or cafes.

Furthermore, the existing water feature seen in the square today will be taken out and replaced by a new water jet feature which can be switched off so that the area can be used for different events at different times.