At the double for Preston North End as they are signed on by Monopoly

It may not be on the pitch, but it's still a prestigious achievement - with one of the nation's most loved board games.

For the Preston North End Community and Education Trust and Deepdale are named today as the first two squares to be announced on the new official Monopoly game for the city.

The announcement takes place pitchside at Deepdale this morning.

The Trust - the official charity of Preston North End. - is one of eight Preston charities to be voted onto the board, which will be out later this year.

They are the second charity to be announced.

The first was revealed earlier this month - Preston Street Pastors who are featuring on a Community Chest card.

The Deepdale Duck, North End’s mascot, is celebrating the news in a sea of props, holding both the Deepdale and PNECET squares that will feature in the new Monopoly: Preston Edition game.

The game is scheduled to hit shops around Thursday, October 22.

The Trust will now get to feature on a Community Chest square all on its very own on the board.

The Trust and club have worked in partnership to provide vital deliveries of hampers to elderly and vulnerable members of the local community, while part of the football stadium was gifted to the NHS for vital staff training purposes.

"Very many congratulations to both the Trust and Deepdale," said George Shrimpton, custom games executive at Winning Moves UK, makers of the new game under license from Monopoly owners Hasbro.

“The eight Preston charity Monopoly opportunities were our way of thanking the public for getting behind the game so enthusiastically.”

Earlier this yea,r Winning Moves UK announced that the city is getting its own unique Monopoly board for this year, after seeing off a host of other places across the North West in a city-wide ‘beauty contest’.

Mr Monopoly came to the city to announce the news – along with Mr Shrimpton - and since then the makers have been busily putting the edition together.

Mr Shrimpton added: “The official Monopoly: Preston Edition game is due to hit shops around the last week of this October.

"As well as a charity vote there was also a general vote staged. Both were extremely well supported.

“Preston North End Community and Education Trust polled extremely well - as did The Harris Museum, Avenham Park and Deepdale.

"Around 35 Preston landmarks and organisations will feature in the game.

"Eight of these will be charities.

"Two of the charities have now been named.

"The other six will be revealed the day the game is out.

“Deepdale will feature in an ‘icon’ set in the green section of the board.

"The sets are all themed - from heritage to shopping, travel to nature and many more.

“We have been spoilt for choice putting this board together and are delighted that the great and good of Preston will get to ‘Pass GO’.

“We would like to formally thank each and every person who sent in nominations.”

Preston North End Community and Education Trust utilises the power of Preston North End and football generally, positioning at the heart of the Preston community.

The Trust’s provision is centred around community engagement, education, health and wellbeing.

Head of Preston North End Community and Education Trust Tom Drake said: “Our services connect people from all walks of life, supporting all to achieve their goals and make positive changes to create a safer, stronger and more resilient community. We are absolutely delighted to be featuring in the board.

"A very big thank you to everyone who voted for us.”

The game will be available at all major retailers in the city - as well as very widely online, including Amazon.