HUNDREDS of people flocked to Taunton railway station with flags and flowers to greet the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh as they arrived in the town back in May 2002.

With the sun shining, residents and schoolchildren began to gather from about 8.30am to wait excitedly for the Royal arrival.

Youngsters from St Andrew's School, Wellsprings Primary School, Albemarle pre-school, Priorswood Junior School and Taunton School all turned out to see the Queen at the start of her visit to the town.

Felicity Nixon, nine, of Taunton School, was among those eagerly awaiting a glimpse of the Queen.

She said: "We're really excited. We've been preparing what we're going to say to her in class.

Somerset County Gazette:

Just before 10am, the Queen was welcomed by civic dignitaries, including the Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Lady Gass, the High Sheriff of Somerset, lan Hoddell, the Mayor of Taunton Deane, CIir Mary Whitmarsh, and the Bishop of Taunton, the Rt Rev Andrew Radford.

From there, the royal party moved through the town and made a stop at the markets in the high street.

Thousands of delighted people thronged Taunton town centre to give Golden Jubilee best wishes to the Queen as she made her way through the market.

The Royal car crossed the River Tone into North Street and drove slowly through cheering crowds.

Several managed to give flowers to the Queen and two six year olds, Sam Wills and Charlie Lamb, broke through the crowds to shake her hand and say hello just before the Royal couple got into their Rolls Royce Bantam.

When the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh got out of their Rolls, Lord Lieutenant Lady Gass presented chairman of the Farmers' Market Mike Dennis, June Small a founder member who escorted the Duke on his tour of the stalls - regional director of the National Farmers' Union Anthony Gibson and chairman of Somerset NFU Simon Wetherall.

Somerset County Gazette:

At the end of their walkabout the Royal couple were presented with a locally made wicker basket full of the best local produce.

Mr Dennis, who escorted the Queen round the 24 stalls, said: "It was a pleasure. She was genuinely interested and excited by it all. A very charming lady. And the sun shone for us to the minute!"

June Small, of Charlton Orchards, told the County Gazette: "The Duke was so knowledgeable and asked so many interested questions. It was very good."

Town centre manager Lucy Ball said: "It was just a wonderful day, the clouds parted and the town was full of happy people. Everyone was thrilled to see her."