THE Duchess of York is to visit Bolton next week for a whirlwind tour of the town's premature baby unit, the BEN can reveal exclusively today.

Sarah Ferguson will visit the Royal Bolton Hospital -- the site of a new £155,000 neo-natal support unit -- as guests of Manchester hospitals charity, the Children's Hospitals Appeal Trust.

The ex-royal will be guest of honour at the unit where she is expected to meet staff, parents and children.

Hundreds of onlookers are expected to cram the Minerva Road Hospital for a glimpse of the former princess. The Duchess will also be cutting the first turf to start major building work on a bereavement suite at the premature baby unit. The new building will provide much-needed privacy for parents.

A spokesman from the charity, CHAT, said: "We asked the Duchess by letter to come to Bolton to see the project -- and she agreed. We were absolutely delighted, if not a little surprised.

The charity has raised more than £5 million to improve healthcare for sick babies and children throughout Greater Manchester.