Red silk flag-waving pupils from Hadrian Primary, Laygate Community and Marine Park Primary schools will wave in the QE2 as she makes her first visit to North East England.

They will be among 600 children, who have been working with the Dodgy Clutch Theatre Company, to welcome the luxury liner to the region on Sunday to form a spectacular virtual red carpet.

The event forms part of the programme of events and festivals for 2007, managed by culture10, and brings together schoolchildren from both sides of the river to entertain the crowds expected during the majestic ship's momentous arrival.

Alison Burden, headteacher at Marine Park Primary, said: "It's a once in a lifetime experience for the children involved.

"They've all really enjoyed the rehearsals and it looks spectacular – the people on the QE2 are going to have a fantastic view."

Laygate headteacher Mike Dixon said: "The opportunity to do this has been really welcomed and the children are all looking forward to it.

"I have seen what they are doing and it looks amazing. With hundreds of kids doing it on Sunday, it will be massively impressive."

Scott Brown, headteacher at Hadrian, added: "Our children are very excited about the arrival of the QE2.

"They have worked hard throughout both the summer and autumn terms in preparation for Sunday's celebration.

"It is a great opportunity for our pupils to be part of the QE2's historic visit to the River Tyne."

Dodgy Clutch Theatre Company, well known in the region for its spectacular site specific events, has been working with the local children and other community groups to create the performance.

Both the north and south sides of the river will be dressed in red silk banners, and the children and the performers will give a choreographed performance using red silk flags.

Along the river, there will also be a number of other welcoming surprises.

A seven metre high puppet of Northumbrian piper Jamie Allen will also entertain the crowds on the south side of the river.

Stella Hall, creative director of NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said: "This event is all about celebrating the arrival of the QE2 and creatively depicting how we are welcoming her to the Tyne, and its fitting that we have a cast of local children joining professional performers for the celebrations."

* For details of where and when to see the QE2, click here.