A BLACKBURN schoolboy stopped the Queen in her tracks during Coronation anniversary celebrations - thanks to a broken arm!

Christopher Smith, nine, from Arran Avenue, Shadsworth, was one of four Blackburn children personally invited by the Queen to a party for children at Buckingham Palace yesterday.

And Christopher's pot, signed by all his friends, attracted the eye of Her Majesty as she walked around the party - and she took time out to ask how he was.

Christopher said he told Her Majesty he had more than 25 signatures on his arm and she replied: "Ooh, that's nice."

The Shadsworth Junior School pupil said: "She asked how I broke my arm. She was nice."

The party was one of the events organised to mark the 50th anniversary of the Queen's Coronation at Westminster Abbey.

Christopher broke his arm jumping over brooks on the Arran Trail in Shadsworth at tea-time on Friday. He fell awkwardly and was taken to Blackburn Infirmary where he underwent an operation on his arm.

Mum Gillian said: "It was touch and go for a while. We thought we might not be able to make it to the party. But we've had a wonderful day.

"The Queen was walking around and spotted his broken arm and it became a talking point."

Christopher and sister Laura, 12, received the invitation as their mother has been a volunteer at Barnardo's Blackburn Family Action Project in Shadsworth for three years.

Gillian also spoke to the Duke of Edinburgh who asked how long it took the Blackburn contingent to get to Buckingham Palace.

Although Christopher's activities were restricted by his broken arm he was still able to enjoy the carousel at the party.

Christopher and Laura, who attends Queen's Park Technology College, were among a contingent of 200 young Barnardo's service users who have received the royal invitation to the party.

It included performances by circus performers, a carousel and lots of candy floss and ice cream in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

The children also joined Her Majesty for an informal picnic tea along with other guests such as Prince Charles, Camilla Parker-Bowles, Prince William, Margaret Thatcher and Jack Straw.

The two other lucky Blackburn youngsters were Bethany Greaves and Jade McHugh, both eight and from Shadsworth.

Julie Skorupka, Blackburn's Barnardo's project manager, said: "The children will remember it for the rest of their lives."