CROWDS lined Friargate and the Flag Market from the early hours on Monday, eager to catch sight of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip as they made her way into the City of Preston.

The sun was shining as thousands waved flags, decked out in red, white and blue costumes.

Twin sisters Elise and Emma Richards, eight, got in position as they prepared to hand over flowers to Her Majesty as she passed by the waiting crowd.

Entertainment was provided by performers from Pontins who dressed as clowns and animals while men walked on stilts amusing children -- who waited patiently for their first ever glimpse of the royal visitors.

As the royal couple approached the Flag Market the crowds roared. Shaking hands, Her Majesty received posies and bouquets from eager onlookers and a display of Typhoon, Tornado and Hawk fighter planes from BAE Systems soared overhead.

The Queen's represenative in Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth, introduced the royal guests to Preston Mayor Jonathan Saksena and Mayoress Jean Al- Serraj, the Mayor's secretary Marjorie Barnes and MP for Preston, Walton-le-Dale and Bamber Bridge, Mark Hendrick.

Student Ben Davies, 17, who is studying A levels at Runshaw College, Leyland, was one of the lucky enough to speak to the Queen while she was on her walkabout.

As Ben handed a bouquet to Her Majesty she thanked him. Later the Duke of Edinburgh asked Ben: 'shouldn't you be at work?' "I told him I was a student," said Ben from Darwen, near Blackburn.

The Queen was greeted at the Cenotaph by Ian Hall leader of Preston City Council and chief executive Jim Carr, as she gave the country's newest city the royal stamp.

Mark Hibbert, 17, of Threefields, Ingol, who made a crown especially for the occasion and wore a St George's Cross Flag like a royal gown, said: "Preston was stuck in the dark ages and now the Queen is officially naming our city to bring it up-to-date."