THE QUEEN and the Duke of Edinburgh gave the people of Ludlow, and particularly the children, a day to remember.

In perfect weather - summer but slightly overcast and not too hot - more than 200 people lined the top of Corve Street waiting for the Royal car to arrive from Craven Arms. A young family from Ludlow was first in the queue to stand at the entrance of Parkway to see their arrival.

Diane Harris from Orleton turned up with her children, six-year-old Chloe and 13-year- old Robert at 11am, three and a half hours before the Queen was expected. "I wanted to be sure we had a good view. I've been planning this since I knew she was coming," she explained.

Chloe clutched a posy, which she planned to hand the Queen along with a note about her pony club. But she had to wait as other well-wishers joined the group.

Brenda Hollick waited outside Parkway as her husband, the Rev John Hollick of the Elim Church, prepared to be among the specially-invited audience for the Shakespeare plays at the Castle. "I wasn't sent a ticket for the plays," she laughed. "I think I'll have a better view."

By the time the Queen and Prince Philip arrived, more than 500 people were waiting in Corve Street by the entrance to Parkway. Another 300, mainly school children, stood patiently by the entrance to the Library and Museum Resource Centre, which was the Royal party's first port of call in Ludlow.

Her Majesty wore a blue and white patterned two-piece suit, a matching hat and a sapphire broach as she and Prince Philip were met outside Parkway by the Lord Lieutenant for Shropshire, Algernon Heber-Percy and the Vice Lord Lieutenant, Simon Kenyon-Slaney. They were 12 minutes late and the Queen faced a tightly-packed schedule but that did not seem to bother the Royal party.

It was the moment that little Chloe Harris had waited for so patiently as the Queen walked across to her and accepted the posy.

The Queen took her time in the brief walk along Parkway. She stopped at Floribunda, with its baskets of flowers outside, and received a posy of pink roses from sales assistant Liz Birnie.

The shop's proprietors Diana Rubery and her daughter Louise Rubery-Jones were at the time waiting at the Castle for a separate encounter with the Queen.

There was a chance for another little girl to grab attention. As Her Majesty walked away from Floribunda, a small voice called out 'Queen.' She stopped and looked over her shoulder. Police and a security men grinned as a little girl, with red hair and dressed in Sunday best, rushed after her and handed her a small colourful posy before dashing back to her mother.

Barry Le Quesne of the Sole to Sole chiropody and holistic treatments shop, talked to the Queen about his ear candles before giving her a packet of six. At this point, Prince Philip asked if all six should be used at the same time. "No. One at a time," Her Majesty told him. "Do they work?" the Prince asked.

Royal officials were looking anxiously at their watches as the Queen and the Duke took their time accepting bouquets and posies from the children in front of the Library. Eventually, the Queen and the Duke reached the main entrance where they met South Shropshire District Council chairman Neville Stephens, chief executive Graham Biggs and Shropshire County Council councillors Peter Phillips of Bishop's Castle and Peter Corston of Ludlow.

Meanwhile, five-year-old Callum Reddard waited anxiously to present a posy of blue and white flowers. Callum, who was with his parents David and Tracey, had his name picked out of a hat for the honour. "Welcome to Ludlow," he said to the Queen as he handed her the flowers. "Thank you very much," Her Majesty replied.

Inside the building, Jim Roads, head of Library Services, Adrian Williams, area librarian, and Nigel Nixon, head of Museums were introduced to the Queen and Prince Philip. The Royal party then split up. The Queen walked with Adrian Williams and Peter Corston around the library while the Duke went with Peter Philips round the museum.

Her Majesty's next duty was to unveil a special plaque but when she walked up there was no sign of the Duke. "Where is he?" she asked. Adrian Williams explained that Prince Philip was looking at the bones of the famous Shropshire mammoth, which was found in a Hanson quarry. "That's rather fascinating," said the Queen.

Moments later the Duke turned up with a grin on his face. They both met Paul Collinge, the library architect, Chris Rolle, head of county council Building Services, Peter Jackson of Pavaways Contractors, and Chris Collins, chairman of Hanson.

Later, as he left the library, the Duke said to a group of children "You want to see that big beast up there - but it's not all together." He turned to Advertiser reporter Jen Green and said "What a jolly good turnout."

But that was still minutes away. First of all, Peter Corston invited the Queen to unveil a plaque. In the manner of someone who has probably unveiled many more plaques than anyone alive, Her Majesty pulled at the string and stepped back to admire the words "Her Majesty the Queen opened this building. 10th July 2003."