YOUNG people from York secondary schools have been selected to assist with the Minster service when the Queen visits the city on Maundy Thursday.

Six pupils from Manor CE School and six from Archbishop Holgate’s School will act as assistants to the Queen’s Wandsmen, who help to assist with the organisation of the ceremony.

The students will help guide the 172 guests, who have been selected to receive Maundy money as part of an annual Easter tradition, from the Assembly Rooms to the Minster and will support them throughout the service.

Brian Crosby, Manor School’s head, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled students from Manor have been chosen to support such a prestigious event for the community and the wider region. It’s a unique event in the history of our nation and coincides with the 200th anniversary of the establishment of Manor School.

“The young people chosen are some of the most outstanding young leaders in our community.

“I believe they will remember this event when they are elderly people and it will make a major impact on their lives. It’s an immense privilege, it’s unlikely you will have a monarch that will reign this long and they will be there at her diamond jubilee.”

Those to be selected from Manor School include headboy and headgirl Jonathan Fry and Katherine Lord and senior prefects Tom Neryd, Reece McMahon, Francesca Cooke and Evelyn Evans.

The names of pupils selected from Archbishop Holgate’s School are likely to be announced nearer the time.

Jonathan Fry, 16, headboy at Manor School, said: “It’s an absolute privilege to be chosen because it’s also the school’s bi-centenary year. I’m not really nervous but I’m definitely excited. It’s fantastic we have been given this opportunity.”