Prince William to get up close to quake damage

Prince William arrives in earthquake-devastated Christchurch tomorrow and will get a close-up look at the damaged heart of the city.

The prince will visit the hub of the rescue and recovery efforts at the Emergency Management Centre and then the severely damaged cordoned off red zone area,

He then flies to Greymouth where he will have a private meeting with the families of those killed in last year's Pike River Mine explosion.

Returning to Christchurch the prince will visit the damaged suburb of Sumner before he speaks at the National Memorial Service at Hagley Park.

He departs for Australia on Saturday morning.

- NZPA