The Queen last visited Morecambe in 1999 when she unveiled the statue of the town's favourite son.
Her Majesty officially unveiled the sculpture of the comedian Eric Morecambe on the Promenade on July 23 1999.
Buckingham Palace said that the Queen accepted the invitation to visit Morecambe because she and the Duke of Edinburgh were due to visit Lancaster, to mark the 600th anniversary of the association between the Crown and the Duchy of Lancaster.
But the royal couple were also known to have been great fans of Morecambe and Wise and it is understood she personally asked to unveil the statue.
The bronze statue was sculpted by Yorkshire-based artist, Graham Ibbeson.
Also in attendance on the day were the broadcaster Sir Robin Day and actor Frank Finlay, who both appeared on the Morecambe and Wise TV show, as well as Eric's widow Joan, and their children Gary, Gail and Stephen.
Eric Morecambe was born John Eric Bartholomew in Morecambe in 1926.
He formed a comedy partnership with Ernie Wise regarded as the best in the history of British comedy, and the Morecambe and Wise television shows remain a huge hit with TV viewers today.
Eric died in May 1984, aged 58.
The statue remains in the spot where the Queen unveiled it 23 years ago, and is a huge attraction for tourists in Morecambe, and source of pride for residents.
The Visitor newspaper started the appeal to raise funds for the statue, which was then taken on by Lancaster City Council with contributions from local businesses, residents and European funding.
Glen Cooper, editor of The Visitor at the time, was one of those to meet the Queen at the unveiling.
"She was very pleasant and really interested in the story of how the statue came about," he said.
"I remember them both (the Queen and Prince Philip) having a great sense of humour. You could tell from the Queen's face that she was absolutely delighted to be doing what she was doing. She was almost childlike in her enjoyment of unveiling the statue."
After the unveiling, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh then went to the mayoral parlour at Lancaster Town Hall for lunch.


Morecambe MP responds to damning NHS maternity services inquiry
Morecambe Bay mum feeling wonderful after reaching final of Ms Great Britain Classic
UPDATED: Morecambe Bay Fringe Festival chief slams plans for separate Lancaster event
Lancaster youth charity team to face epic cycling challenge inspired by teenager
Lancashire Police launch summer crackdown on drink and drug driving
Police investigate after four people injured in Lancaster crash involving ambulance
Revamped animal attractions reopen at Lancaster park
New images revealed as public consultation opens on £100m Lancaster regeneration plans
Ambulance passenger seriously injured in road crash in Lancaster
Parents in Lancaster district invited to book free summer holiday activities for kids
Morecambe Bay hospital trust named in damning national review of maternity services
Lancaster TV chef to receive Honorary Fellowship from University of Lancashire
Two youths arrested on suspicion of assaults on cycle track between Lancaster and Morecambe
'Kick in the teeth' as vandal attack sets back Lancaster music facility’s re-opening plans
Elite cycling road race set to return to Lancaster
Lancaster District residents can now order extra red and yellow-lidded recycling bins
Plans revealed to expand Heysham coffee shop and wine bar
Holiday apartments plan for former Heysham pub
Man armed with knife arrested in Morecambe
Hottest June day record broken again after temperatures soared in Lancaster and Morecambe area

